The Poetry Section at the book store
is shrinking
Poets have finally written themselves
into a small corner
on the second floor
between autobiography and word games
All that’s left are a few anthologies
and the sayings
of a toothless prophet
The magazine rack has been extended
to seven feet long,
five levels deep,
under a bright yellow awning
right inside the front door
Golden edged thrillers and exposés
flicker with intriguing illustrations
and celebrity photos
suitable for framing
How-to-do-it and self-help books
now expand
our inner awareness
filling two new aisles
All references to pain have been
removed
from the hymes and lines
department