Now

FaceTime and Zoom cannot replace the human touch

but they do a damned good job in keeping the human

moving along as if on an airport escalator, or up

and down at the Mall operating still in the crossroads,

each customer greeted now like the prodigal son

or daughter, but the party is missing the band. And

the salesclerk is a bit desperate knowing her job is on

the line if upper management pulls the plug and the show

goes dark. Nonetheless she smiles and shows the client

every variety of blouse and cut-off jean, and the store

still cuts ten percent on the first purchase in the rewards

program, which has not disappeared, and the brick

and mortar bookshop two doors down is still putting

up its sign: Open. Come in. Browse. It is time.

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