Halfway across the lot
thinking of nothing in particular
I stop between the pharmacy
and the laundromat
my shoelace has come loose again
dragging a gray tail across pavement
A shopping cart bangs in the wind
its wheels catching, refusing, catching again
Someone’s receipt is tangled in it
a list of things I don’t buy
ointment, tangerines, nail polish remover
I almost fold it into my palm
carry it like a clue
but I leave it there, flapping
A woman on her phone laughs so hard
tilts her head back so far
I can see the fillings in her teeth
For a moment I want to ask her
if she’s happy
if the laughter belongs to her
or if it was fake
Above, the power lines stretch
like old ropes strung between anchors
drooping under birds
that keep shifting
never satisfied with their perch
I tell myself I’ll keep walking
once the light changes
though I’m not sure which direction
I had in mind
Home, maybe
or somewhere I’ve never gone
some place where a receipt in the wind
is reason enough
to go
About the Creator
Tim Carmichael
Tim is an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. He writes about rural life, family, and the places he grew up around. His poetry and essays have appeared in Bloodroot and Coal Dust, his latest book.
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I met Jason when I was five years old. I could say that I loved him from the moment I saw him. He was so handsome to me and I felt in awe by his presence. When they introduced him as the new kid in school, I wanted to be his friend right away. I remember it like it was yesterday. I remember his smile and how he didn't seem shy. He appeared confident and ready to learn. I waved at him and said "hello," before anyone else could even say a word. He sat next to me, and I asked him if he wanted to be friends. He looked so happy as he said, "Yes!"
By Sidney Smith (Sid Smith)7 days ago in Fiction
Comments (4)
Nicely written!
Sometimes having nowhere in particular to go is reason enough to go there. Excellent work.
Nice one. You were a detective on the most mundane case in the world; because everything is a clue, just not always to something worth finding out.
I love how you turned such everyday details into a moment of reflection.