Tree of Plenty

Pushing my basket
up one row,
down the next,
hesitating occasionally
to pluck crisp apples from a bin,
gather cans of beans,
choose fresh bread
from an endless selection
while strangers
nod and smile,
chat amiably,

I am reminded of the time
my young daughter,
upon hearing the story
of Noah’s Ark asked,
“Is that why everyone
is so nice now?”

I was stunned bittersweet
by her innocence.

But I realize now
that the ease and comfort
of grocery shopping
can lull me into a sense
that the whole world
is filled with kind people
walking back and forth
in a sort of sated contentment
picking what they need
from the tree of plenty.

By Maria Brady-Smith

Photo by Mike Smith