Shop Talk Poem by Prabhakar Subramaniam

I tag along
Without much zest
Shaking my head
Looking in vain
For a place to rest
In that mall
Called the Shoppers Ball.
I think of their overflowing wardrobe
As my grandchildren go on a binge
Buying more and more
Of the same, I think.
'No thatha, this is a new brand
And the rage in town'
They buy me a pair too
Perhaps to silence me.
My wife gives me a stern look
Which means
'No one asked for your opinion
Son-in-law will take offence.'
I try to rationalise things
Like Sammler would
'Being right is merely
A matter of explanation.'
When others buy
Can you stand by
Watching them, with a sigh?
Don't you feel rich and powerful
When you go home with three bags full?
I only pray that they will have something left
When the big bubble bursts.