A supermarket just before closing

A supermarket just before closing

is like a seaside town in winter. An empty car park.

Shelf stackers sit on kick stools

stacking shelves. Evening shifts have different rules.

There’s no need to tuck your shirt in. Staff sit and chat.

A supermarket just before closing.

Outside, Dean in a high viz jacket collects trolleys. Jules

on the till does her sudoku, The cleaning machine hums.

Shelf stackers sit on kick stools.

On Saturday mornings these aisles are full,

Every checkout heaving. Evenings are so quiet.

A supermarket just before closing.

It’s almost 10 pm. Time to go on the Tanoy and call

for any last shoppers to make their way to the tills, past

the shelf stackers sitting on kick stools.

The bread is stale. Fruit and veg shelves are empty,

but in the morning everything will replenish.

A supermarket just before closing.

Staff sit on kick stools.