Night After Night She

She filled her shopping cart to the brim. Warm clothes to wear on cold winter nights, Some food for the flame and whatever else, Many things, that seemed to have future value. She walked the streets night after night. Bubble gum rings and plastic beads, her treasures. A colorful existence responsible only to herself – One night, she ran across the street In front of an oncoming car and was saved. Her pursuer gave up and went home. It was abandoned in an old neighborhood. Without her cart of goods and with hair strewn, She went to the department store. There were plenty of grocery carts there. Each one waited empty wanting to be filled. She did not have a job, but she loved things. This time, she walked inside and looked around. There was food; there were clothes; everything. She looked wantonly at it all and at many people. She took an empty cart to freedom and fresh air. She walked the streets, night after night. When her cart was full of found items, She slept on a cardboard bed beneath the stars. Huddled alone in a warm coat from her cart, She rested until tomorrow, which always came. 2/14/2017 Written for “Theater of the Absurd´ Poetry Contest