Considering the Chowder

[everyadventure]

Do you ever imagine me at the market,
my head bowed over a can of clam chowder
as I study the label?

Do you notice how I tap my lip
with one polished nail,
considering?

Can you envision the slope of my shoulders,
my disappointment,
on determining the
sodium content?

Don't you see how wistfully
I place it back on the shelf
and move on?

[Bar22do]

Very clever, ea, with a graceful pinch of sensuality somewhat disconcerting... nicely done! (not to speak of the utter importance of reading labels!)
Best from Bar

[Hawkman]

Hi ea. One is left wondering who the narrator is addressing these remarks to. Food manufacturers perhaps? :D

However, supposing the narrator is a wife and mother, then one is left toying with a vague perception of a family who sit down and eat whatever is placed on the table before them, taking for granted the choices made by the woman of the house regarding their nutrion and health. Most men, I fear, give little thought to shopping, except when buying tools. We are creatures of habit who, when living alone, carry a permanent menu card engraved on our psyche's by our mothers. Those of us who grow more adventurous and decide to experiment, usually make decisions based on price! But then, Home Economics was never my strong point - lol.

The poem works well and is nicely written. Very enjoyable read.

Live and be well - H

[PrinceMyshkin]

I didn't see the "pinch of sensuality" that Bar alluded to but I loved the feeling of the immediacy of the moment, the sort of moment one might not think ordinarily worthy of mention, and presented to us with just the right amount of respect, a gentle tug at our shirtsleeves.

[everyadventure]

Thank you all. I was thinking of an old friend, sometimes I try to imagine what they're doing throughout the day, and wondered if they ever take a moment to imagine me in return... and the disappointment, wistfulness, and moving on has more to do with how the friendship ended than the soup itself...

But I also find Hawkman's interpretation very appealing!

[PrinceMyshkin]

I'm wondering whether either "sodium content" or "wistfully" should go lest we be misled to think that this is about some recent threat to your health?

[Lumiere]

I think "and move on?" carries the punch, and the last line is a bother.
In any case, I like this a lot.

[Jerrybaldy]

For once I saw this exactly as it was meant. That wondering, even when amid the minutiae of life, whether some one would imagine you or see you at that moment.

You have written of something I have felt and never expressed. Good job.

[firefangled]

I like the openness of this, not knowing exactly to whom it is directed.

Like Lumiere I think the last line gets in the way of the openness, especially following "move on."

[everyadventure]

@lumiere & FF: Yes, I'm thinking I agree with you about the last line. Consider it nixed.
@ PM: that is certainly an unintentional effect... I will take it into consideration!
@JerryB: how delightful to be on the same page as you :)