porn theatre boat noodles

sunday stopped by at the boat noodle shop in an alley that leads to the porn theater. crossed paths with a transvestite regular on her way out. she was hard to miss with a prominent nose, long neck and a hard look in her eyes. the skin above her shoulder was pockmarked, her veins prominent.

it was a slow day so we stood around waiting for a table then the food took a while longer. i turned around momentarily and saw the regular making her way back in a new sleeved shirt. slow but firm steps to the smudgy glass doors.

a little over a year ago i wrote this poem:

retail therapy (2 for 1)


at the mall
banners advertise
monthly sales
in politically relevant
colors, such as red
top & yellow
bottoms, blue
backgrounds & white
text--bold
but still
hard to read

it's like Superman in the shape &
form of a celebrity
flapping
gently in the wind




we don't need no
yellow no
red if
shoppers can save
the nation



today this poem is suddenly true. on my facebook newsfeed, i'm suddenly seeing posts about "shop to save the nation" programs all over the city as a result of the latest bout of civil unrest.

maybe retail therapy really is the best form of healing for some crises.