The past is coming clearly to me now
stories of my old campaigns, like how
that summer, shelf-by-shelf and floor by floor
we conquered the local department store.
Under a creeping barrage of strawberries
we made our way through cheese and charcuterie
to bottled condiments and frozen food.
Our way was clear. The going was good.
With only sporadic opposition
we moved, easily, through ladies’ fashion.
In hardware, we were seriously rattled
by a full-on medieval battle.
With gardening tools, we fought on
to the glory of the battalion
and in toys, greeting cards and stationery
we raised our colours, in victory
close to the tracksuits and men’s shoes.
We were heroes – the glorious three-for-twos.
