standing in the grocer's line

I glance up,

catching the clerk

as she reaches back

with both hands,

shaking and freeing with a quick,

unconscious movement

the mass of her bundled hair.

before I could swallow

she had just as quickly

put it tightly back in place.

for an instant, Aphrodite stood

yearningly revealed.

then the clerk spoke:

did you find everything

you were looking for?

5/10/2021