I'll be home for christmas

Looking through the clear plastic
plating, grated by
brushed steel
barrier
the sound it makes as the motor turns
and waiting for the moment
I can duck in under
without straining too much
or waiting so long
it seems impolite

The mall is empty at this hour
and my shoulders slump
hands in pocket
trying to keep warm
because even in Southern California
the weather can be chilly
at times

"I'll be home for Christmas"
echoing the food court chapel
while a 30 foot model in a one piece
is the stained glass
representation
of material heaven

The waiting game is only so
fun
when the waiting actually
cuts chunks of time
out of my head
12 minutes here
23 there
though occasionally
the game only yields 2 and a half

and those 2 and a half minutes feel longer than any other hour of that day