waiting at the Vegetable Aisle

 

 

the automatic sprinkler system drizzles

down on the fleshy carrots

sprouting white-ginger buds like May

before it snowed

and sugar snap peas crunching, like

autumn and ranch dressing with

purple coral romaine lettuce and

gristly celery stalks, their crimped

skin begging to choke—

all sitting neatly stacked like dishes

in lifeless black plastic shelves

the color bursting with vivacity,

scheming to roll out and march

victoriously down the aisles.

(Stock image of carrots).