She defies race by age.
Chinese? Maori? Who knows?
Wizened, stooped, proud, determined
Hobbling to the greengrocer
every pension Thursday.
80-year perception
of the value of firm fruit.

Behind this sad hanging face
is a gentleness
wrought in submission
to a force more powerful than cruelty.

Still slave to this aching form
and life's routine
Hard labour raising eight kids
and a demanding husband
she outlived?
She hides herself well.

The handknit bag
holds small treasures
that only greengrocers know
and simple pleasures
devised long ago
when Parnell was full
of soldiers and whores.

                                                                                 -  Keith Newman (C)  1991