Dollar Store
barrio dollar store
on the fourth of July
five kids with paletas
and their mother with one
pressed to her forehead
standing at the door
in my white goatee
the young guys call me
old-timer and the old men
call me young man
no one in the store
on a hot July night
the security guard
goes outside to stand
in the sudden downpour
everyone
at the store entrance
talking and smiling
that one person bitching
about the rain
a young woman
dirty and sunburnt
carrying a backpack
way more human than
than I've ever seen
putting grocery bags
in a two-wheeled cart
the old veteran looks at me
and tells himself
about his day
security guard
watches the old man stagger
then leave without a word
two bottles of mouthwash
go back on the shelf
more animated
than anyone has a right to be
the old black man laughing
and hitting on the ladies
in the makeup aisle
homeless woman
brings her cart in the store
then fills it up with things
she can't afford
just for the cool air
security guard
slash bouncer
slash babysitter
slash therapist
slash tired old poet
~