Mall-Walking

I awake to the glistening rubber bottom's blossoming fragrance Of my fellow traveler's steps-- The ounce for ounce footwork that pays its dues To the immaculate nature of mall-walking. I make a pilgrimage into the heart of shoppers, My closest lovers, who greet me With their passing fancies. I rejoice in the young man,standing in the gift-wrap booth, With his paperback--its text and cover Revealing a literary inclination. I rejoice in the two men, sitting at their Starbuck's table, One working on a crossword-- The other, a book, notepad, and pen. Who knows what gems they'll soon discover. I, too, cast my bread upon the water of everyday, And I see that there is life in the mall--after all.