It's Still Life

Supermarket Gargoyles

Right next to the anti-viral
hand gel by the automatic
opening doors, stands
an elderly security guard.

He’s a poker faced man
in a buttoned-up uniform,
and a shirt bleached white
and starch-stiffened.

Dressed like that, I expect
him to do something when
my shopping trolly sets off
the security alarm, but no,

he just stands there, grim as
cold porridge, stony faced,
and totem-stiff, staring into
the airy farsighted distance.

Photo by Denis Oliveira on Unsplash. ©Misky 2022 Shared with #amwriting #apoemaday on Twitter