Dead

The shoppers drift from store to store
pushing the strollers
along the darkened halls
weighed down with stuff they do not need.
The baby is hungry.
They stuff a salty pretzel in his hand.
The child is bored.
They snap headphones over her ears.
They wander
dazed, like zombies
seeing only
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There is no laughter.
There are no smiles
just rows and rows
of red, green, purple, yellow.
Despite all the bright colors
all the bright signs
this place will never be alive.

By Lia, grade 8