To Market

A dense pre-holiday pack

Flows in rhythm with the bustle

Movements sure and swift,

A city tango kind of hustle

 

The stunning skin-tone spectrum,

A full cultural complement;

Side by side are working-class

And the clearly affluent

 

Overwhelmed are all the senses

The array of choices rife

Served by halal butcher,

Roman baker, Amish farm wife…

 

Once you’ve made selections,

Find a spot and quickly park it

To savor tastes and sights and sounds

In Reading Terminal Market

Author's Note

Spent some time there today - I highly recommend it! :)

Reviews

[NeiL ArandA]

You know Ms Rita I was sitting inside McDonald which is inside Wallmart watching shoppers come and go. I was thinking about writing a simple poem but nothing flowed. Here you are doing something very unique and interesting. Do you bring a pen and pad with you all the time and whenever you go ? I ask because I do. Thank you for sharing your observation and piece.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Neil - people watching is always inspirational! It's funny that you should ask about the pad and pen - I almost always do have these with me. However today, we just decided to go there on a lark, and I carried only my keys and wallet. As we sat sipping coffee, my husband asked why I was "so quiet", and I told him that I was trying to remember lines as they came to me, since I did not have a pen! :)

[NeiL ArandA]

LOL i do the same way ...but i've got to have a pen and a pad otherwise i will go crazy trying to remember the words that came and flowed into my senses. ( I think we're connected Ms Rita. Do you have the same car insurance ? *Allstate* ? LOL )

[Rita L. Sev]

LOL! I am always afraid I'll forget some wonderful line. I keep a pad next to the bed, and sometimes I'll wake up and write down what I think is a profound thought. In the morning, though, it is not the gem I thought it was at midnight! :) Yes, we are connected by the Poets' Quirks! :)

[NeiL ArandA]

HaHaHa...that was so funny Ms Rita...I need to stay away from watching too much commercials.

[Sheila Kline]

Wonderful descriptions of the kind of experience we have when we are fortunate enough to visit places as this. They are as varied as walking down a busy New York sidewalk. It is such fun to watch, listen, feel, savor the moments of the visit!

I often visited the local indoor markets when I lived in PA Dutch country, Berks County and shall always remember the wonderful items bought and sold!! The fresh breads, pastries, produce, meats, local made craft ware, and on and on - certainly makes me hungry for a shoofly pie!!

Your rhyme is excellent and imagery just perfect! I am glad you visited so you could share with us your memory of it!!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sheila! Mmmm... shoofly pie! Yes, I saw that today... opted for Italian pastry instead - ;)

[Sheila Kline]

I've been so hungry for one I've been tempted to order one from Wixon's Bakery in Reading/Lancaster.......might just have to have one for Thanksgiving LOL - maybe I should bake one!

[Rita L. Sev]

You'd better stock up on molasses! :)

[icelandicblue]

There are times when we're just a bunch of mixed nuts enjoying the sights, sounds and aromas of the farmer's market. It lures everyone to come and enjoy, a place of no social standing just human crowding.

[Rita L. Sev]

"Just a bunch of mixed nuts..." LOL! Exactly - some salty and some sweet, but all in the barrel together! Thanks, Blue!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a public market, all different people make up the sellers and the buyers..side by side...

no one better than another..this reminds me somewhat of "The Swimmer"---and when Neddy Merrill spent time at the public pool, on his journey...how he was jeered and then made to take a shower just like everyone else...wealth does not really separate us from others, or protect us from those ordinary folk as much as we might like to think.

nicely done analogy

jacob

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Jacob - This mix of humanity, all equal and present with positive purpose is why I love the RT Market...

[Ees]

Great poem! You really captured some of the great feeling that you can find certain times in certain places and you put us right there are the market with this! I love when my city feels alive this way, with all kinds mixing, buying things, being what they are and it being a part of their lives. I love going to our Public Market for the same reasons that you described this market. It reminded me of some of the festivals that we get here too, the Jazz Fest or the Fringe Fest, when everyone just congregates in the city and there is a sort of bustling excitement of everyone just living and being there.

great poem! Loved every inch and saw every inch of it!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Ees! I love it in the Market; everyone is there to enjoy, and everyone gets along...

[Ed Hart]

a piece of smiling fun to read

[Rita L. Sev]

A tasty way to spend an afternoon... :)

[Sami Khalil]

I really miss those bazzars or variety markets that offer halal( blessed or sanctified ) foods or kosher meats or any organic, fresh , wholesome products that people produce with their own hands and sweat. I always prefer to purchase from locals and help them more than chains...This was a wonderful poem...Bravo

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Sami! You would love the Reading Terminal Market - every culture is represented in the freshest and most authentically prepared foods. I do not eat meat, but my brother prefers to buy meat only from halal butchers, because he feels that the quality is superior.

[Sami Khalil]

I do agree with him. I will check on that...Take care...:)................