An independent, ad-free leftist magazine of critical essays, poetry, fiction, and art.

An image of an abandoned storefront in Trenton, NJ. On the unfinished marquee, the letters G, R, W, and E are visible. "Trenton, NJ" by like, totally is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Cetaphil

Take this little shield now;
Charge up.
One or two sirens.
Recall when you bought facial cleanser for the first time?
Pacing the big aisles looking for the right one.
This time it is easier;
Just a few steps up
A few to the right.
The motions are printed on the ground in thin chipped lino.
When you reach the cash register they will joke on your horned helmet,
A stage manager over the intercom.
No mind.
Your goal has not changed.
“The packaging has been updated, but the same great product lies inside,”
The label beams.

 

 


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