catapult magazine

I SEE TARGET

by Nicole Carlin

I see Home Depot
A BIG BOX
I see Target
A BIG BOX, Chain Store
I see Whole Foods
A (Bourgeois) Chain Store
I see a city neighborhood
Life, vital life, coming back with the BOXES.
I know gen-tri-fi-ca-tion is not a nice word,
But less RAC, less Check Cashing, less “We pay cash for Gold!!!”
In between the Boxes is Zeke’s Coffee to go, Kazanda’s Café, and get a muffin at Taza Doro.
The year round farmer’s market (since 1941) can be found behind Home Depot.
I see people who care and I am happy,
But what about Miss Mary who may not be able to pay her taxes with the rising value of her home?
I know gen-tri-fi-ca-tion is not a nice word
There is no simple solutions
not ONE single one
so pray, people, PRAY for the city
That is rising back to life on the tide of Big Boxes.
If it’s not going to be gentrification, what will it be?
I see Target, but what is our goal?