i took them in
amongst a pile of other glittering monstrosities
the low-pitched liquid consonants
behind the counter thanked me
and i ran for the doors
really went for it
a year went by and they were there
next to Auden and Pam Ayres
Berryman & Betjeman just down the road
what madness i thought on the way home
and two months later i was in bed, in the dark
listening to the large repertory of Carmen
its immortality is assured by the deft harmonies
and perfectly judged orchestration
like my collections in the charity shop
covered in dust
and high levels of vehicular dredge microwaves
waiting for the apocalypse
People. Shop Assistants too. Yes
I love them. I was a shop worker
Many years ago. Hmm. Nice time
Yes. This is a beautiful job. A style
Sometimes they are tired in the morning
I can understand them. I give them my smile
This is my style. Loving the people
They are reflecting on me. Hmm. Guys
Good to give happy feelings. Totally free
I am a lover. Of life. You love. Be kind
Mine
Get love
For
Smile
To
the
Shop Assistants
Hmm
I love them
Were you saved
from yourself
before first being born
Form without
matter
praise without scorn
Were you part
of the promise
not taking the vow
When time
was a servant
not death on the prowl
Did life stay
unbidden
when freedom was free
As daylight
till dusk
no I’s came to be
Did morning
chase daylight
unable to stop
The evening
and twilight
on sale to be bought
As the first step
was taken
the second disowned
The first cut
the deepest
— with nothing on loan
(The New Room: September, 2025)
They closed the corner store some time ago
the ciggies by the two we now forgo
our lucky bags now a recollection
as is browsing in the comic section.
Mechanics' Social Club no longer stands
their topless barmaids, striving local bands
and Sunday morns' all-comers talent show
both pubs have closed, there's nowhere left to go.
They closed the corner store some time ago
finally called the time and stopped the show
The cafe, bank the chemist shop, all gone
the street is quiet, not much going on.
We'll have a Tesco store sometime, they say
we know they're sure to place it far away
you'll need an Uber car, too far to walk
We'll miss the bench where you could stop and talk.
They closed the corner store some time ago
Nail salons and vape stores, now come and go
barbers, bookies empty charity shops
you see the homeless sleep, you see no cops
once walking up and down the street in pairs
graffiti daubs, the windows smashed, who cares?
An out-of-towner builds an HMO
inside the corner store we used to know.
The Cake Shop
There was a small cake shop near the bath-house
If I had money, I would go in there for a coffee and a cake
the girl behind the counter smiled; I fell under her spell
and my heart beating too fast made me dizzy
Her name was Berta, the loveliest thing on earth
I must invite her out for a walk in the park.
She closed her shop at five, borrowed my brother`s tie, and used his aftershave. Alas, outside the shop stood
a man tall and handsome
I walked by and into a deep shadow.
When she came out, they kissed and walked hand in hand
down the road, she said something, and he laughed.
Devastated, I sank to the ground and bitterly cried
how stupid, the burning shame, I couldn`t go into her shop again, told him about me when she laughed
I found another place where an old lady of thirty served
I felt at ease with her; we laughed and often kissed
But life is not sweet chocolate, as I had to work with no education
I joined the merchant navy, a place for poor boys who didn`t want to work in factories and left dreams behind. Or did I?
"Nothing changes but the date on the calendar." By Poet
We love our pretty calendars holding our favorite pictures.
Many pictures of cute animals,
some of majestic land or sea views.
Each month changes with new pictures to enjoy.
We circle the dates we need to remember,
never wanting to forget our appointments or events.
I like to write in the date box a couple of words,
these words helps me to remember why I circled the date.
When December shows up,
our calendar must be put to rest.
The many dates on the twelve months have served us well.
Now off to shop for a new calendar,
one holding new dates and wonderful pictures.
people never change
history has all the proof
dates always changing
Arson murder of 9 persons after the content of the tailor shop was stored in the garage Ciro Gargano his business Partner fireman gene Kalinowski the great cover up resulting in many more arson murders back off me with terrorist threats my prayers are with the fire captain who perished in that garage I’m totally reminded of Gargano arson murders 9 people died I have no fear of your intimidation very sad when city officials working for a wannabe crime boss covering up his arson murders doesn’t matter who you send to light the match set the blaze lives are taken I know what you did how you hide behind the undesirables to set blazes in garages trash cans tailor shops Fbi warned me my life would forever be in danger today my Chicago flag is hung in memory of all the lives that persished in your fires
They've done with this world, they've shut up shop,
They've locked every door and window.
They've pulled the curtains tight, all in is excluded within.
All dissension within is chained up and barred shut, all out of spite.
They've silenced the migratory birds,
They've told them to go sing to the neighbors instead.
The postman now tosses their mail in the bin,
As the sign on their letterbox proclaims, “World’s switched off!”
The planet can spin, it's so nice elsewhere.
Who needs the cranky, spiteful, detached, deluded - U.S.
When we folks, all around here, are the welcoming sharing 'us'
We no longer want to hear the TRUMPet blare!
Let 'em cut off their nose to spite their face.
It sat with double doors propped open
inviting the poor, the sad, the broken
Its dusty shelves stuffed and sated
with objects – some fresh, others dated
I carried my dreams with heavy arms
formerly dazzling magical charms
Now in tattered cardboard boxes
a life in unresolved paradoxes
Prized possessions, cherished memories
adored as luxurious shiny accessories
Their worth besmirched and unfamiliar
traded for coins of gold and silver.
One caramel macchiato, a barista calls out
Two people rush to the counter
It has a name written on it,
One returns to her seat empty handed
I sit in the corner with my laptop, watching the show
Coffee shops are a terrific place to hide out and write
Cappuccino, mocha, latte, expresso, the barista calls
As people head to the counter my fingers begin to click
Pro life chop shops
sanctity botched
chain your baby makers
inspect your baby’s crotch
laws ban
lives hang
hangers wrought and bought
the worst of how we’re natured
belts
you’re just another notch
fit in
or sin
resisting a rest
existing erased
pop up chop shops
for furl of brow and fraught
the worst of how we’re natured
belts
you’re just another notch
Composed for Emo-Music Inspired Poems
Poetry Contest by B.J. Fitz
On The Corner
Ye Olde Shoppe still stands on twelfth street
surviving despite the box stores.
The owners never miss a beat
always willing to hand out treats
to children who come through the doors.
Life needs relaxation
Don't forget to give
yourself time each day.
Shopping is best therapy
Your heart must be big
And your wallet must big also.
Relaxation is love and choice
Sometimes, staying in quiet corner
Given your mind to relax.
I'm open for business except Sundays from nine to nine.
I have a 5-Star rating from the BBB because my work is very fine!
I specialize in tailoring garbage bags for we folks who were so named,
By a doddering old geezer in the White House who ought to be ashamed!
You must provide your own 30-gallon bag which usually comes in black;
I'll form fit it and for an extra fee will stencil MAGA in huge letters on the back.
Five bucks is the cost or if a vet or a senior a 5 percent discount I'll advance.
You'll find it very appropriate wear at rallies or any other such circumstance!
yeah, i went in
and i picked up a novel and took it to the counter
she said, "oooh, i do like this one. so heartbreaking and inescapable.
it's about being dislocated from friends and numbing routine and desire."
i said, "it's not for me, it's for my mate, bill."
the bloke behind the counter came over and whispered to me,
"before death, i will be recognised
as an expert fencer. all we have left is fantasy or the examination of the self."
his name badge read 'peter'
he had the phlegmatic charm of a proto-slacker
he handed me the receipt and
i ate it in front of him
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