In the Mall

I used to love to shop in malls, Alone or with a friend, To stroll or browse, not thinking Such an outing might soon end. The food court always beckoned For a pick-me-up or snack, And then the shopping would resume, Perusing every rack. When Amazon became a thing, With ordering a breeze, The customers dried up, which brought The mall shops to their knees. I visited a mall today, First time in many moons, And it was not the same as where I once spent afternoons. The stores were there (well, most of them) But in that vast, bright space, The emptiness made those of us Inside look out of place. What online started, Covid then Made sure was good and dead. What’s left is just the memory Remaining in its stead.