Trip

I went to Atlantic City today

right off the cuff, and I

ate a grinder at Subway

and proceeded to Trump Towers and Caesar's.

Well Caesar's has only old people

trying to gamble away old age

and I felt sad and empty for them-

but they don't feel sad and empty- they feel pleasure.

So I followed a couple-a killers

to the boardwalk- the fake town façades-

and noticed the dune-grass was

uniformly planted- but nevertheless acheived

its oceanic affect.

I wanted to find a perfect shell,

but it isn't the seagull's priority

and I am on their turf.

This man I avoided when I

bolted into the ocean came upon me after and

I was annoyed. Exposed. Violated. I

didn't know what to say and he

couldn't say much so we mentioned our

shell-seeking and then I escaped.

Well he brought me over a perfect sky-

blue and grey conch and boy was I

embarrassed. Humbled. But excited. It washes

nice. I would give it to you, Val, but

it serves better as a reminder for me.

Besides I like it too much.

by: Mary Wyatt Matters