and here's the Xmas assignment;

XMAS SHOPPING

BUS DOORS HISS AND SQUEAK
SNOWFLAKES DRIFT AND CRUNCH
A RED-STUFFED SANTA RINGS HIS BELL
REVOLVING DOOR JAMMED WITH PEOPLE
PARCELS CRUSHED AND KIDS HOWLING

BLINKING XMAS TREE - CASH REGISTERS CLANGING
RED POINSETTIAS, GREEN PINE BOUGHS
15 MINUTE SPECIAL, CROWDS STAMPEDING
PUSHING, SHOVING, JABBING, SWEATING
THAT ONE'S MINE - NO - SHE GOT IT

FINALLY, THE PERFECT GIFT - NOW TO PAY
MORE LONG LINES - OUCH MY TOE
AT LAST - FINISHED - WHERE'S THE EXIT
OH NO - WHERE'S THE CARD - WHERE'S THE PAPER
ANOTHER LINE, ANOTHER HASSLE, ANOTHER BILL

MY NERVES ARE FRAZZLED, MY CLOTHES TOO WARM
MY EYES ARE BLURRY, MY HEAD'S IN A SPIN
NOW FOR THE EXIT - GET OUT OF MY WAY
FRESH CRISP AIR, EVENING'S CURTAIN HAS FALLEN
LOOK AT THE LIGHTS - OH, HOW PRETTY

SHARI BRUNET
01 OCT 1992