Stripmall Sidewalk - Melissa Vanderwerf

Two slabs of concrete sidewalk

Divided by a ditch

To an ant, the Grand Canyon

Filled with a rainforest of Eurasian plants

 

On one side

A tired man begs for a nickel for a bus ride

And a screaming kid

Begs mom for a jawbreaker

 

I cross that line

An open door to a bagel shop

Acts as an advertisement

I use my right to smell good things

While it’s still legal and free