We piled into the van like goats
going to slaughter
There was a giddiness in the air
They giggled and laughed
their nearness to each other
proximity of bodies
all in work-clothes
some wearing slippers
others boots caked with red clay and mud
it had snowed
snow makes us all children.
We went into town to the mall
all dispersed to run their errands
Food in plastic sacks was laid
on old clothes and forgotten toys
there were some tools there also
The driver spotted the sheriff
in his official car
She withered in half fright
“I have no state plates” she said
“hope he don’t stop us”
I hoped so too
not telling her I was packing
a loaded automatic pistol.
They commented on my house being buried in woods
“can hardly see your roof...
almost missed it”
There was a brief goodbye
and someone helped me bring the food
into the fortress.
