Like it was yesterday...

“Get all you need at Lincoln Mall!”

The highway billboards used to say.

Closed stores, dry fountain, cobweb pall.

Bright lights and Christmas trees and all

The toys my eyes, still young, surveyed—

All I could need at Lincoln Mall.

No sign back then of fatal lull.

“Whole town is here!” And yet, one day,

Closed stores, dry fountain, cobweb pall.

Beside my mom I’d clutch my doll,

Throw coin in water, “wish I may

Get all I see at Lincoln Mall.”

I sat on Santa’s lap, so tall,

But elves and train weren’t there to stay.

Closed stores, brown trees and cobweb pall.

A door unchained so that I may

Come back to where thrown pennies lay,

Seek what I miss at Lincoln Mall.

Dead stores, dry fountain—that is all.