The Mall

 

Periodically nervous merchants

Peeked out from their shops,

Squeezed smiles from their

Worried faces when noticed by

Another, gathered discreetly

In groups of twos and threes,

Whispered who knows what

Into the chests of one another.

Rancid rumours ran rampant,

Rancor loitered in every corner,

Security cameras and microphones

Silently scanned the empty,

Sterile corridors for incidents,

The cleaning lady listened for

Tidbits to take to the absentee

Owners who watched on their

Laptops from who knows where,

Watched for the people who

Never arrived.

Like a kaleidoscope that’s broken

When held up to your eye,

The mall was dead,

The atmosphere dry.

 

Stephen Nesbitt ©

 

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