It Seems Like Yesterday

It seems like yesterday
 but it's been a year now,
since the Wilkes Bashford store we all new and loved,
ceased to exist (to me).
At one time and really, from the beginning, the
store was one of the most exciting,
beautifully merchandised stores-
housing some of the most coveted and best edited
collections, of luxury clothing in the country.
It's been a year now...
and  it is different (to me).
The bones are still there, but
the soul is gone (to me).
The name is still there, for now,
but the signature has been wiped out (it seems).
The bag is still there, but,
the colors have both faded (to me).
Could it be,
soon customers will no longer have
 the coveted orange and brown shoppers,
to carry like a badge of honor,
a show of patronage?
It's been a year now...
out of respect, I will reflect and realize
it was never perfect, but
the aim was always high and genuine.
It was like a daily theatrical performance,
for which, there will be no encore.
xo