Danger Zone

My mood fluttered when I saw

the something impeding traffic

was someone with long grey hair

hunched over a cart,

oblivious

of everyone around.

I started to veer

but nearly crashed

with another

pressing behind us,

with another yet behind, and others

all in a hurrying column,

one shrieking its need for oil.

Breaking free at last

I stole a glance

as I pushed past the stalled cart

and saw the wrinkled hand

with the complimentary antiseptic wipe

scrubbing the cart handle

with meticulous care,

thinking he, then wondering, she?

                                                                                                      m.d. paust