Ode to Piggly Wiggly

Perhaps you have heard the  news?

Piggly Wiggly has been bought out.

It’s like someone has come in and hacked away part of my childhood.

I can’t imagine a world in which the Piggly Wigglys of the world disappear.

Vestiges of my growed up years markings on a dry erase board, wiped clean.

Piggly Wiggly will be replaced by snooty old Harris Teeter.

Soon all the Hominy will soon be replaced by Hummus.

Scuppernogs will go the way of maqui berry.

Where, oh, where will we go to get our pickled pig lips, now?

Ode to Piggly Wiggly  

Mama handed me a $20 bill

Told me I was big enough

To do the grocery shopping

Now.

Sent me inside the Piggly Wiggly

To buy five days worth of meals

For Brother John,

Sister Tater,

Mama & me.

I bought cereal – Honey Oats.

Fish Sticks came twenty to a pack,

said the kind lady who helped me

Figure five sticks each would serve us well,

 Plenty enough.

I was nearing tears by the time I picked up

Two boxes of Mac-and-Cheese

A can of Pet Evaporated Milk.

Whatever else I purchased that day

I can’t recall.

Only this, I left Piggly Wiggly knowing,

Even way back then, $20 wasn’t

Enough for four people and five days.

Feeling not nearly as mature,

as Mama expected of her oldest girl.

Age 12.

Karen Spears Zacharias is author of Mother of Rain, a World War II novel of mystery, madness, mountains & Melungeons.