Corner Store

In the past
I was a young boy
With his face pressed up
Against the corner candy store window.

They made egg creams
And malted milk shakes there.

The real deal.

You could smell the magic of the place
Escaping out the front door.

Chocolate
Strawberries
Vanilla
Oranges and Cream.

They had Spider Man and Fantastic Four comics
In the front windows
Covers fading in the strong sun
Along with all of the dime store candies that they sold.

My face was pressed up against the thick window
Drool spittling out...

I could smell the fresh newsprint
That those comics were printed on.

I could smell the chocolate
The Sourballs, Fire Hots, Jawbreakers
And licorice
Of old time Dutch pipes
And red strawberry string shoe laces.

I am there
With my face pressed up against the window
Fogging up the clean glass with
Noseprints
Fingerprints
And otherwise

As you lie before me
Legs up high

Me in bewilderment
At your magic and beauty.

Of you exposed

Fragrant of mangoes
Citrus
Vanilla
And flesh.

Envious of the superpowers
And the sweetness of nickel dimestore candy

Of these things
Much greater than myself
And my past.