essentials

We

coincide 

inside

T K Maxx

you two

smiling

linked

arm in arm

setting off 

up the

escalator

me

I’m heading down

to look at

pants

you two

just out for the joy 

of shopping

seventeen

swapping opinions

on leopard skin tops

on minions 

on Tshirts

checking out boys’ crotches

all elbows

and giggling

me

aching neck

sore feet

fifty five

stacking my backpack

with cheap necessities

reduced knickers

up against

economy cheese

and essentials tea

I'd have come

down there with you

once

but it's

too late

for that.