Daily Life Amuses God

By Mimi Whittaker

I’ve done it again

grabbed the cart in a hurry

the one that lists to the right

My old lady workout

muscling my way through the aisles

arms thrust forward

butt out leaning into the push

with my chest

I travel in half-moons

into the frozen foods

reverse out when the coast is clear

it must be God who makes me laugh

He whispers in my head

“It’s a total ellipse of the cart”

Mimi Whittaker lives in Northern California. Her work appears in California Quarterly, Fish Magazine (Ireland), Blue Mountain Review, Stoneboat Journal, Peregrine Journal, Ring of Light, and various publications. She has authored 5 books of poetry and short fiction, one novel and 2 non-fiction books. Her work is informed by the people in her life and despite many urgings, she has never gotten her ears pierced – check back when she’s 80!