~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bell above the door still jingles~
a sound like nickels spilling from a tin.
Inside, the air smells of licorice and mildew,
of something sweet refusing to let go.
Dusty glass licorice jars sit on the shelf.
A single ceiling bulb flickers
over penny candies wrapped in wax.
Wooden floorboards groan underfoot,
remembering when kids reached for treats on the top shelf
A rotary phone rests on the counter, black and patient,
its coiled cord a noose for yesterday’s conversations.
Behind the counter, Mrs. Nicholson stalworth stands;
she’d grown up in our town,
knew everyone and just about everything
about everyone.
She also knew where everything lived~
the peppermints, the lye soap, the brittle
catalogues from 1947 curling at the edges.
She moved slowly, dust rising in her wake,
a pioneer woman who remembered
world wars, the Great Depression, and
when bread cost a dime.
Behind the register, her apron now hangs empty,
still smelling of peppermint and camphor.
I pause.
This is where time comes to loiter.
I LOITER AIMLESS
In spree I like to loiter lone aimless
making way through thorny bush and wild weeds
where creeper secretes peculiar fluids.
Feral flowers flowing fragrance peerless.
Waves thrashing on solitary sea shore
calling me to listen to music loud.
Symphony resonates in interlude.
Aqua opulence in gorgeous galore.
Hot scorching desert or non-mowed meadow
gives warm welcome to enjoy and wander.
Sand dust or glass blade both are my wonders
Glad to be followed only by shadow.
Sunny, cloudy or even rainy sky
Each disperses amazing ambient.
Spectacular marvelous firmament.
Dormant desires of mind dream to soar high.
Humans work hard doing great and greater.
I appreciate human emotion,
success, progress of civilization
but, adore Nature most: Smarter and better.
08/21/19
First Place
' STRAND SELECT' Contest by Brian Strand.
2022 Poetry Marathon Mile. 1
Contest by Mark Toney
Find peace
In ease
Dare see
What frees
Be well
Joy tells
Right here
Now cheers
Fit time
Space rhymes
Feel quest
Seize zest
Purge ploys
Know joy
Love lives
To give
Set sight
Feel light
Strange heart
Change starts
Be true
To you
Leon Enriquez
25 May 2016
Singapore
Epigram #65:
LOITER
Raw nerves now trigger
Loiter with wonder
Feel falling slumber
~~~~~~~~~
Leon Enriquez
26 May 2015
Singapore
The sign said not to loiter
But I’ve never understood
The assumption that a loiterer
Is up to some no good.
So I say to all the fritterers
Or lollygagging crowd –
You should stand your ground and dally
Just as if you are allowed.
Show the world that you mean business;
You’re not plotting something crazy.
It’s American as apple pie
To slack off and be lazy.
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