The multiplex
isn’t the multiplex no more.
There’s a sign on that abandoned lot
that the land’s for sale.
Weeds sprout all around it.
Things have changed hereabouts.

Do you remember
when our parents would drive us down there
for the day?
We’d pay for some kiddie film
in the early afternoon
and then make a day of it?
Running from one flick to the next,
seeing the end of An American Tail
then hitting Fish Tales Three
and checking out half of
the R-Rated Whale Tale
before getting kicked out of the theater.

That was more fun than the films we saw,
the sneaking and sliding,
exploring the hide and seek of it all.
I mean,
the movies were cool, too
back then.
Maybe better than today.

Maybe that’s why the place is closed:
too many folks going to multiple movies
at the multiplex
could’ve shut down the whole deal.
Damn.
Too late now.