they are now stocking cold-water mornings,
gentle bumps in mild summer nights
and humble watermelons. The latter
they have only recently ordered from
an Australian water-melon farmer
because he used half of his harvest
for target practice. They have some
great Great-Gatsby imitations
in a back room—you have to know
about those and ask for them—
say you’re my friend. Then there
are transparent boxes studded
with the deadly buttercups, and
imitation-leather cows on which
you can rest for a while after a long
night of browsing. Don’t get scared
when you hear the heavy breathing
coming from the storage area
where they keep the lost children.