valentine

Dollar Tree finally closed

It outlived Chuck-E-Cheese

But probably had just as much piss stains

Only difference is that in Dollar Tree it was largely adult urine

staining the crevices of the aisles—

God bless Dollar Tree for not having carpet everywhere

You can mop sticky

But Chuck-E-Cheese probably didn’t have enough coffee

To sop up the stink!

_

If you stand in front of the storefronts

and close your eyes

you might be able to hear

the buzz of the Dollar Tree escalator

mixed with the Chuck-E-Cheese lobby muzak

once again

_

wool over your eyes is itchy

a cotton cap that extends past her forehead—

almost like a small shirt extended more than it should—

is more comfortable on a warm day

I think she can hear the noise

better than I can

_

Tipped Black and Milds cigar

she sipped like a quarter water with a straw when you’re a kid

throat burns the same

with the sticky artificial taste

gathering at the back of your throat

swallow

_

quarter water quarter water

50¢ for two

two Tipped Black and Milds

are more expensive for you

_

the bus passes by her

the old 3 bus honks its horn

_

her eyes are closed behind her hat

her dress is disheveled

and she’s sipping that quarter water

breathing out its smoke