This afternoon I was wearing a red shirt with white letters 

Black shorts 

It’s still a little warm, too much so for sweaters 

But perfect for my dog’s post-beach bath 

The colors remind me of those old red velvet oreos 

I do the math – that was a long time ago

I got an invitation on my phone 

To a baby shower for one of my best friends 

“Paperless invitations” are the days we’re livin’ in 

There are a million things on the digital registry 

“Needs” to be purchased on Amazon and Target 

This friend of mine is getting her family started

Most of my friends are now late 30s, some even 40 

It feels like we are ships at sea 

I thought about going to Target because the shower’s next week

Scrolling through the registry, all I could think is how I’m so glad it’s not me 

Diapers, cribs

Breastfeeding, strollers, and bibs

Is Target pro-baby or pro-consumerism?

Either way, I feel like I’m on the other side of the schism

I’m not sure what’s wrong with me 

But below the reddish-orange-white foliage is where I want to be 

I’m not nihilistic but maybe my worldview’s still twisted

Diving into Dateline on a Saturday afternoon 

My digital shopping cart is empty 

Human drive and desire are a mystery 

What’s the force – behind Target, babies, and the pull of “nature”?
Maybe I’m just an overthinker 

There is some kind of target I don’t want to miss 

But it’s the one no humans kiss 

Red, white, and black: leaves, Target, love, purity, and darkness 

I can’t seem to budge – toward babies or Target 

Does it make me heartless?

Halloween is right around the track 

Like that baby shower 

Soon we’ll all be in our 40s 

Slowly losing power

What is the target? 

When we arrive, I hope it won’t be gory

I’ll get my friend something from off the registry 

Let the corporations build their empires 

All the ships, all the colors, all the people – we’re all of the same pedigree 

I actually do have a hopeful worldview – I believe we’ll all be renewed

I think, oddly enough, we’ll hit the target – after we expire