the bookstore

during the riots

and the looting, I kept waiting
for

the bookstore window
to be broken into

so that I could slip in and grab
a few books

I've been meaning to read.
but no

such luck.
of course i'd put the money

into the register before leaving.

I do have a few morals

left in me. not to mention

lingering Catholic guilt.

the liquor store was opened,

the grocery store,
the electronics mega store,

but not the bookstore. I waited
all night

as the city burned, but the books
went untouched.