Price Chopper Mom
Self-Exiled today to
A Price Chopper
parking lot, listening
to Jesus Christ Mode.
Trying to grab raw emotions
out of observing angry mothers
scolding their children, groceries
in tow.
One raging mom leaves
the store violently, dragging
little Junior behind her
We exchange a
token glance, then
turn away in human
shame—Out of
reflex, I suck in
my gut, convincing
myself I’m irresistible to
women in the 50-60’s
age bracket.
She finally puts the
last bag away, locks
her kid in the child-proof
seat
& squeals out of the
parking lot, like a criminal
running from Johnny Law.
Exhaling, I now know that middle-aged roll
must go if I ever want to be that elder
heartthrob.
Dan Provost’s poetry has been published both online and in print since 1993. He is the author of 17 books/ chapbooks, including Getting Your Bell Rung released by Luchador Press, in June 2025. Notes From the Other Side of the Bed was published by A Thin Slice of Anxiety Press also in 2025. His work has been nominated for The Best of the Net three times, and he has read his poetry throughout the United States. He lives in Keene, New Hampshire with his wife Laura, and dog Bella.
