Suds and Duds



Drove through town just a little while ago

Struck by the quiet, and the low show

... Of people, both in P. T. Barnum Square

And, well, virtually, everywhere ... 



Talked to a guy bringing in his antiques

(Five years on the corner, and still not beat)

So many other stores there have folded

Most couldn't hack the red numbers, bolded



Including the shoe store on the corner

Eighty years, and now it is a yawner ...

"Going out of Business" signs on glass

No more nice comfy shoes for Bethel's brass 



Shame ... as they were the only shop around here with some

Like Clarks' Wallabys - a winner, when all's said and done

Now, the empty store sits as a front for the skateboarders

The kids - being just about the only folks - out of orders



Except, further on down - where Greenwood meets South

Where most of Bethel seems to be - on this route ...

All of them either inside or hanging around in front

Of the Suds and Duds laundry ... the local place now to hunt! ~



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

11:25pm Sun. Jan. 9. 2000