It's Still Life

It’s All in the Delivery

Dead centre in the middle of the intersection at Rue Norvins and Place de Tertre, a delivery van stops. The driver takes no notice of the traffic queueing ahead or behind him, the hysteria, the ear-pinpricking gibberish, the honking horns and shaking fists.

He unloads 3 cases of wine and 3 boxes of croissants on to a hand-trolley, slides the door closed, locks it, pockets the key and walks slowly toward La Crêperie. He’s paid by the hour rather than per delivery … takes on the steep flight of stairs one wheel–bouncing step at a time, signs-off another delivery, and then walks across the piazza, sits at an unoccupied table and orders un café from a thin surly waiter.

A moment later, he’s sipping coffee while people all round him are pointing in gasps at hot air balloons and a biplane performing an aileron roll, circus performers balancing on the hotel rooftop, and a man dressed as Santa climbing a lightpost.

And then the driver returns to his van, drives out of the pandemonium he’s caused and leaves as if chaos is of no consequence.

Written for Miz Quickly’s Day 14 “Write What You See” Image Hiro Yamagata “Air Show” XX cent.. Poems/prose ©Misky 2006-2024.