CaCD quo ee provided. 20 The Mall by Evelyn Lav ‘Today 1 choose it over the ocean. Over the trees, their fall leaves a flock of orange parrots perched on branches. | Over the chandelier of sunlight broken ‘on blue waves, over flowers shaped like teacups Or trumpets, over the jade garden where once I dreamed J wore a green velvet dress clasped tight at the waist Jike the grip of aman’s hand. I walk towards it like a Zombie, this strange planet suspended in time, a space station in the rainforest inhabited by teenage girls wearing glitter eyeshadow and slippery lipgloss. I skate along its arid walkways as if on an invisible track, away from my life. Here it could be day or night, the walls stripped of clocks, music moaning a mindless refrain, not a window in sight.25 30 1 pastilles: candies The stores hold their mouths open like seductresses, radiating heat and light and a bright array of wares, a sorbet rainbow of merchandise delectable as pastilles!, Outside, the lives of grasses and insects and breezes go on. After a day at the mall, stepping back into what's left of the world, the sunlight will sear your skin, and the gallons of fresh air will pour over you like pain.