Is it a person?
Oh no, did it get burned?
Looted? Robbed? Murdered?
Is it okay?
That’s a big box store.
Thick-necked. Hard to press.
Sells hoodies and jeans.
Dresses provocatively.
Damaging.
So empty inside now.
Gutted.
Seriously though, can it breathe?
Does it need water? Mama?
Call the police knee. Did it die?
Poor store, almost like a person.
Hard to fit in a bodybag.
There is video evidence.
Linoleum riot for inanimate rights!
Did it have a family? Friends?
Coworkers? A soul?
Will people miss it forever?
What is its past history?
Arrest record?
Stock market trend?
Ahem. For profit.
Portfolio is looking up.
Tax sheltered. Bailout ready.
Owner made millions.
In a hazardous pandemic.
Workers get paid shit.
Unprotected. Wage theft.
Why are we only mourning
the humanity of lost property?
Joe Amaral,
Injustice reaction:
“Cleanup on Aisle 7”
Insurance will cover.
Nice being able to live again.
Exist. Mend.
Corporate thug.
Got what it deserved.
Joe Amaral’s first poetry collection The Street Medic won the 2018 Palooka Press Chapbook Contest.