Poem: Northlake Mall

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I remember
when this place opened
you couldn't walk
through the crowds
so many people
all was shiny and new
clothing stores
furniture outlets
hair stylists
all you ever wanted
conveniently
in one place
right off the interstate.
My kids ran happily
around the play place

Twenty years later
we walked around
on a quiet Saturday morning
too quiet
so many stores
now black walls
even the chocolate shop
has vanished to the ether.
a handful of choices
in the food court
hardly any major powerhouses
but a slew of local businesses
making their own cozy niches
for their own customers
in smaller doses.

Lots of nostalgia
for what was
mixed sorrow
for what is
cautious hopes
for what could be.

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