retail therapy

it's disturbing

to look

into the eyes of so many

in the crowd

down 5th Avenue,

most in an unruly

march

to somewhere, or nowhere.

some talking

to themselves.

the lost

and disheveled.

the worried

and ill.

but there's little sense

of guilt,

only comfort,

as the shopping bag,

swings

under our arm,

now filled.