around noon

escalator equals mounting debt
second level beckons
but she's not beaten
gonna beat this mall yet
sloppy-lopsided doll
swisher sweets, ripped up jeans,
stunted sleep-face marinated in
lipstick kohl-pencil pusher
two for one earring sale she
hears the air around
the music around
the voices around her
and her child
the air that is
around them all
around the mall

around noon.