Another Sunday morning: time for the weekly ritual. I arrive early, early enough to beat the crowds. I enter the doors, list in hand, select a shopping cart and cut my way through the aisles as if lives were at stake. I nod to employees – I’m an alumnus in good standing – never slowing down until I arrive at the olive oil. She’s dressed for church, coming or going is unknown and can’t reach the top shelf. In my mind we chat about the differentiation of extra and plain old virgin. In actuality she thanks me and calls me young man. I guess over eighty-years old, everyone is young. I pack the bags in the back seat.
talons seek breakfast
also called the fish eagle
sun reaches zenith
This Haibun Monday the prompt is extraordinary days at d’Verse poets pub.
I really love that meeting in the aisles…. there is something wonderful to be able to help someone with their need of olive oil… I always have two different kinds at home… one for frying and another for the salad.
Wonderful happenstance in the olive oil aisle. The haiku is marvelous. We have a ton of osprey here, along with eagles that roost along the James River. It is indeed something to watch them fishing or look down upon their high nests from the greater height of the bridge.
Actually, the ones around here are still wild and pretty cautious of humans. There are no houses along that stretch of the river but I enjoy their relationship with the eagles!
I think because most of the nests here are man-made platforms and a densely populated area, the osprey are nonchalant about humans. Most of the ponds are surrounded by houses. We also have bald eagles but not as many. What I really enjoy during the summer are all the swallowtail kites out in the open countryside.
That’s how a man shops, with speed and purpose but then slowing down to help someone in need…sweet. Great haiku…we have many osprey here, their nests are enormous.
A male shopper with purpose and kindness to the old woman is a rare breed ~ I salute you for chatting and knowing the different types of olive oil ~ You must be a good cook ~ And your haiku is gorgeous ~ Thanks Brian for your support ~
A moment so ordinary can mean so much more in another’s perspective. I often think when I have a little chat with an elderly person in a grocery store, that maybe it was the only interaction they had all day…and yes, those shelves can be ridiculously high.
I used to shop weekly for most of my groceries. Now I shop daily, only buying what I need – except for things like milk or flour … I think food tastes better when bought as fresh as possible. And I also shop early. All the best stuff is out early. 🙂
Ah, that height is going to your head – no wonder you feel like an eagle! I rather like these encounters in the supermarket – increasingly rare, as everyone seems absorbed in their trolleys.
There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament 
I really love that meeting in the aisles…. there is something wonderful to be able to help someone with their need of olive oil… I always have two different kinds at home… one for frying and another for the salad.
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There are so many varieties now and many of them are not as labeled.
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I really like this. The imagery is something that strikes a chord with me.
And, if I were a few decades older, it could have been written about me. I can’t reach the top shelf of anything!!! 😃
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Especially when the top shelf is eight feet high!
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If it’s six feet high, I have trouble, without standing on a chair! 🙂
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Wonderful happenstance in the olive oil aisle. The haiku is marvelous. We have a ton of osprey here, along with eagles that roost along the James River. It is indeed something to watch them fishing or look down upon their high nests from the greater height of the bridge.
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I like how osprey don’t have the wariness of people that most raptors do. Probably because they nest in close proximity.
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Actually, the ones around here are still wild and pretty cautious of humans. There are no houses along that stretch of the river but I enjoy their relationship with the eagles!
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I think because most of the nests here are man-made platforms and a densely populated area, the osprey are nonchalant about humans. Most of the ponds are surrounded by houses. We also have bald eagles but not as many. What I really enjoy during the summer are all the swallowtail kites out in the open countryside.
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I like the image the haiku gives me – of you swooping down on the olive oil, and the rest of the groceries.
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Yes, like a predator I pounce on the produce. 🙂
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I’m with Sarah on this one!
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Then so am I.
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That’s how a man shops, with speed and purpose but then slowing down to help someone in need…sweet. Great haiku…we have many osprey here, their nests are enormous.
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Yep, I shop alone, with nobody else, because when I have a list, I prefer to be by myself.
That’s a snippet from George Thorogood & The Destroyers “I drink alone” a great song.
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My goodness, I can almost feel the rush of adrenaline in this haibun 😀 and yes that’s one gorgeous haiku!! ❤️
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Get in, get out, go home… shopping at least. 😉
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A male shopper with purpose and kindness to the old woman is a rare breed ~ I salute you for chatting and knowing the different types of olive oil ~ You must be a good cook ~ And your haiku is gorgeous ~ Thanks Brian for your support ~
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Thank you Grace. I worked in the store for two years stocking shelves after I was laid off during the Great Recession. I wish I was a good cook. 🙂
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I enjoy a good Sunday morning shop….every week can be different can’t it…
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Hi Michael, Sunday’s are best before noon. Thanks for commenting.
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This one made me smile. I often wonder why are grocery stores a madhouse on Sundays. I guess that’s why I shop on Saturdays.
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Around here, Saturdays are busier. Thanks for the comment.
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love the contrast of everyday life with that of nature.
the last line is magnificent.
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Thank you very much for your comment.
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“I’m an alumnus in good standing.”
I am this at my grocery story, too. Made me smile.
Love the osprey.
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Thanks, even after six years, many of the staff is still there.
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Serendipity in the aisles. Were you looking for Olive too?
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No, that was merely chance, I was waiting for Godot.
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Raptors in the shopping aisle – how very human-like!
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I think the osprey was looking for the fish counter. 🙂
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Where Olive may be waiting to be found?
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I think Olive went to the deli instead. 😉
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🙂
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A beautiful haibun and haiku Brian and I love how your shopping travels home with you on the back seat, rather than in the boot.
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That’s for two reasons: the first is that the boot is partially filled with crates and the second is there’s no aircon in the boot. It’s Florida. 🙂
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A moment so ordinary can mean so much more in another’s perspective. I often think when I have a little chat with an elderly person in a grocery store, that maybe it was the only interaction they had all day…and yes, those shelves can be ridiculously high.
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I’ve been that sole contact many times. No matter how busy I was I always tried to listen.
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I love this: “cut my way through the aisles as if lives were at stake”
Also these two thoughts connected: “I arrive at the olive oil. She’s dressed for church” … as if the olive oil bottle is wearing a dress. 🙂
This cracks me up: “I pack the bags in the back seat” … cause you know, double entendre.
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That’s what the olive oil was for.
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I used to shop weekly for most of my groceries. Now I shop daily, only buying what I need – except for things like milk or flour … I think food tastes better when bought as fresh as possible. And I also shop early. All the best stuff is out early. 🙂
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Hi Misky, that’s the way everyone used to shop.
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Ah, that height is going to your head – no wonder you feel like an eagle! I rather like these encounters in the supermarket – increasingly rare, as everyone seems absorbed in their trolleys.
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Rush, rush, rush… oh wait a minute, that’s what I do. 🙂
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Hahaha… yup! You got that right 🙂
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Thanks for your comment.
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love the idea of shopping as predation and the two ways of viewing the title
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Hunting and gathering for the best deals.
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