"Woman in Target" - 3/24/2018

"Woman in Target"

I first admired your shoes,

little red heels that clinked on

linoleum, patent-leather-looking,

a scuff on the left one.

             Oh ma’am, 

            who are you?

You were picking out cereal.

Pink nails, long dress,

Makeup smudged

around the eye, dark purple.

            Oh ma’am,

            where are you from?

I watched as you took out

your phone

I watched as he glanced over

your shoulder

            Oh ma’am,

            are you alone?

You wore a bracelet

around your wrist,

thick like a shackle,

silver like a promise.

            Oh ma’am,

            where will you go?

He touched your back,

(I saw you wince),

I watched you

shuffle away, red heels.

            Oh ma’am,

            what happened to you?