Jane Gigner-Hollies

And though it was the usual crowd
picked to meet the visiting duchess –
still they wanted to see her, even if
it was just to watch her leaving,  

so they slipped out of the walk-in freezers,
through the kitchen and out to the front,
two women still in their overalls
and hairnets, one still chewing gum, 

but with immaculate red lipstick
and her hair set because it was Friday,
and the duchess  – busy being ushered
into a waiting car – turned around  

to say hello.  She asked them what
the special was and when they answered ‘Fish’
she smiled and said she preferred breaded fish
and they looked at each other and said no,  

it’s battered today. Battered fish,
and then the duchess laughed
and showed her lipsticked teeth
and let herself be whisked away.