Need a Paper Perforator?

Michael's Craft Store
at 7:30 p.m.
on a Thursday night,
not exactly a hopping joint.

But we've eaten,
so we're not too stressed
by obnoxious color.
Who's at Michaels'
at this time of night
and week
and season?
(pink bunnies are on sale)

One employee is rushing about,
swiveling neatly to a stop when I call out,
tennies squeaking.
Obviously I'm interrupting,
I'm not sure what, because
I don't see anything happening.

Where are the perforating rolling cutters?
They're there! If we have some!
Gesturing wildly,
spinning, pointing
shoes screeching, then speeding away
to some craft emergency.
Squeak!

Tired single ladies, peruse the wedding aisle:
tiny pearly beads or teeny lacy parasols?

Zombie Moms, feet dragging,
are dressed in droopy, rumpled outfits
that looked ok on the way to work.


We're all searching for something.
Not too expensive, but not too crappy.

Whooo! It's hot in here!
I slough off my jacket, my sweater.
1st I was chilly and now this?
That whooshing and blowing
must be the heating system jumping to life
in the lifeless store.

I'm better, now,
pick up the various cheapo items
thrown on the shelf during the fever,
search for T who's looking for
antique radio possibilities.
He found dowels and other wooden thingies.
For knobs, perhaps?

Purchase the purchases.
Get out of the zombie light,
Drive home,
check for the purse.
Crap.
(now I've said it twice!)

Tires squeal to the restaurant!
T is furious.
I am ashamed.
Waiters look under tables,
even under ladies dresses!
Not there!

I call Michaels' from home.
No, the employee sighs, she doesn't have a purse,
but, did I lose sunglasses? She has sunglasses.

T, my knight, my hero,
though loudly fuming and fussing,
leaps into the car.
I think I left it on the shelf by the cutting tools,
when I took off my jacket, I tell him and off he dashes.

Tearing into the store,
dashing around displays,
passing tired women,
he finds the purse,
sitting right where I left it.
On the shelf.

He brings it home.
The clientele at Michaels',
on a Thursday night,
just do not have the energy to rob fellow customers.
They're too tired and overwhelmed by the junk
and the fluorescent lights.
They just don't care.


The purse could've sat for hours,
no one interested,
just more stuff on the shelves at Michael's.