Winn Dixie
on the first day
of 2026
went to
buy ‘ya
some roses
but there weren’t any
to be had
not even a baby’s
breath
no daisies
no carnations
no tulips
no nothing
nada
it was so strange
and i turned to the clerk
who walked past
and asked her
what happened to all the flowers
and she shook her head and sadly said
they took ‘em all up
‘cause the store’s closing
next month
i looked at her
in disbelief
but she had been living with this news
for quite some time
she said she’d worked there
18 years
and had cried that morning
not knowing what in the world
she’s gonna do now
she has kids
but didn’t mention a man
what a way
to start the Year
like so many
she’s just getting by
taking it
one day
at a time
overweight and underpaid
with bills that keep coming
and mouths that need feeding
she’s gotta be strong
there’s no choice
about it
and she knows it
life is a test
and it will test you
to the very core
of who you are
or ever hope to be
resilience is formed
in the fire
TL