Modern Day Confessions
Reflections on the Surface
Mass-produced books for 4.99
on manufactured faux-wooden shelves.
The smell of new books and the whiff
of perfume by the young
sales clerk who just walked by;
she smells like a sampling of every
perfume vial from the shop next door-
you know the ones that promise
a night of unforgettable moments
and rapture-
fantasies come alive through
glass bottles.
A woman at the counter
talks to the clerk about some books
she's read. She makes her voice
loud enough so those around might
gain from her vast knowledge.
I snicker cause I know that is not
the way of the wise, but
I'm the world's
biggest hypocrite.
The little cafe brews some
liquid delicious from Arabia-
a reason to tack on an extra
five dollars.
Exotic, my friend,
doesn't come cheap.
In a scorching hot car
with a copy of Purgatorio,
I wonder which level
I'm in now and where in hell
is Beatrice.
At the traffic light,
I spot a beautiful bird
on the sidewalk.
I rush to pull out my camera
so I can capture this moment-
and post it on Facebook.
About the Creator
Melissa Laussmann
I am a published poet and Eco-criticism scholar. My favorite form of poetry is haiku, and I'm enjoying exploring the world of short story.
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