The bookstore on this street that is gone
used to be such a place of excitement.
I used to love to go in
to see what I could see
to find new worlds I could explore
new places to visit
in this neighborhood so near.

For the cost of a walk
and a pull of a parent’s arm
I could go to this street and this store
that is gone
and find a new home
for a little while
and live a new life
when mine proved disquieting.

That option is no longer available
on that street
but there are many other avenues left.