In the cavernous abyss of the supermarket,

Aisles of canned food peer down at me with their beady eyes

I stand, my own five-year-old eyes wide with terror.

I’m alone!

I try not to notice as the cans sneak closer and closer to me,

They can smell fear!

Down the aisle I start to creep,

But around me I can feel the cans closing in,

So I start to walk faster,

But their clattering clamor is growing!

Desperate now, I break into a run,

But a determined can of tuna trips me,

And I go flying onto the cold, unforgiving floor.

My bottom lip trembling, I try to stand,

And then as I look up, I see my dad.

I’m saved!

I run into his arms, sobbing in relief

Those cans can’t get me now!