Suspicion Poem by Papillion Hejduk

A teenager-
Closely watched by store security as to avoid any kind of larceny
Through his eyes, this kid is surely a thief. He surveys her every move waiting for the act. So that he can catch her and set her straight. Straight unlike her tousled bright red hair. He shakes his head in disapproval; does she expect people not to stare? Impossible
With her graffiti- colored, over- sized jeans; too wide black clunky boots to high topping it off, with nothing at all; tiny tight shirt, much to small, thick silver chains, her jewelry no doubt, make it easy to keep track of her where abouts thanks to the annoying sound they chime they look ridicules. As though enslaving her forcing her to go out in public as she does and yet, seems confident proud of her image. Security guard wonders when she’ll grow up. He paces back and forth – impatiently as if waiting for her to make the change to “maturity” before even exiting the store.
An adult – walks by with grace and class lengthy blonde, business woman in designer clothing avoiding eye contact, dodging shoppers, heading directly towards the back of the aisle. The security guard suddenly remembers his objective and searches for the young girl who seems to have cleverly slipped away he listens for the sound of the chimes but everything is instantly drowned out by the noise of the alarm system JUSTICE. With a smirk of satisfaction he turns to face the scene, to catch a glimpse of the culprit and as she lowers her blonde head in shame. The red headed teenager pays for her blue nail polish