Her Outing to Victory Market

Her Outing to Victory Market

He wheeled her into the grocery store.

They passed the bakery and were immersed

in the aroma of fresh baked bread.

He took her from the nursing home once a month.

She liked the colors of fresh fruits and vegetables,

especially the oranges. He would hand her one

and she would feel the pebbled rind.

She could eat only pureed food.

She watched and listened to the children

count their coins at the candy counter.

A stroke prevented her from talking.

He bought her a piece of chocolate fudge

that she could melt in her mouth.

By the coffee grinder, she was drawn

by the aroma and the dark brown of the beans.

She used to be so independent.

He brought her to the fish counter

to look at whole red grouper,

magenta slices of tuna, and

bright orange claws of cooked lobster.

Before he helped her into the car,

he bought for her to eat that evening

a pint of coffee ice cream.

She smiled at him broadly

and placed on his arm her hand.

© Sherman K. Poultney  21 February 2010