Canyons

We are in the shopping mall maneuvering through the throngs

Just watching a marvelous amount of people

mill about

(imagine: shuffling, babies screaming, crinkling paper bags)

In one moment I find it incredulous;

We converge and swell into a giant marketplace

to purchase

amazing tokens of our endearment

(think: somersaulting tigers, sparkling diamonds, discounted apparel)

 

In the next moment, I am shoved forcefully from behind

By boisterous parents carrying twins,

The children absolutely adorable –

aside from the fact that

their faces resemble

ripe and angry

tomatoes.

 

A bickering mother and father storm between us

Hurling impatient looks in our direction for

slowing down the lanes of

foot traffic.

 

I let myself slip into one of those instants

Where I let everything simply stop

I hold my breath and listen to things

crumble away

 

And I see canyons spring between all of us fellow shoppers

Followed by the echoing hollow sound of floor tiles

simply crumbling away into infinite pits.

 

We all stand separated on tiny mesas

In the heart of Gurnee Mills.

Suddenly I panic, having forgotten why

We came to the goddamn mall to begin with and I

Find myself muttering under my breath:

“We’re here for better things.

Better things, don’t forget.

We’re here for better things.”

 

The tiles slowly spring back into place, rising in blooming waves.

People resume their bustle, and I hear laughter ringing.

We step into the next store, tentative at first

But soon our eyes are twinkling

As we plan to find small good gifts

For those we really

Truly

Love.