Panic in the supermarket

tendrils of fear

unfurl around me

 

amongst the shelves
crackers play dice
with my heart

 

there's too little air
in the Spanish Olives
unarmed

 

a purple aubergine
mocks me - "mala insana"
what madness is this?

 

my soul bared
there is nowhere to hide

 

layer upon layer of skin
unpeeled
stinging insidious tears

 

pretzels hold out their arms

like children in prayer

 

I stare at my upturned palms
stained by the vine

 

and can't remember
why I am here.

 

Mandy Edwards (c) 2013