I started collecting them
like a middle-aged woman
collects coupons
saving them
like mementos
of strangers
whose faces I’ve never seen
but shopping habits
I know all about
The busy man
writes his
on the back side
of a ripped
gas bill envelope
listing
TV dinners
Chef Boyardee
Flowers for mum’s bday
The mother
writes hers
on the lined sheet
of a bright blue notepad
A white chevron print
frames the words
TO DO
1 x condensed milk
Tomato sauce—14 oz can
Cherry tomatoes
Wagon wheels for Chloe
The college student
(male, presumably)
scribbles
Pickles
Frozen food
and chicken titties
on a crumpled
green post-it note
I’m not sure
what made me start
holding onto them
but now
whenever
I find myself worrying
about inflation
or humanity
or the state of the world
I open my box
of found grocery lists
and can’t help
but chuckle
Danielle (Dani) Pybus (she/her) is a third-year English and creative writing major. She loves all things whimsical and silly and writes mostly about the small things. She is minoring in French.
