Barefoot down Central Avenue

WARNING: do not attempt to go barefoot down central ave. It's very dangerous for your feet.

Barefoot down Central Avenue
by Jill C.

Stuck to a lamp post:
Hello My Name Is (indistinguishable gang sign)
Lost Dog, $50 reward
The Death Book of My Life--on sale now
Help Wanted: University Bookstore

if anyone has time to pay attention as they walk down Central Avenue,
there is a lot of reading material available to the open mind

The hungry mind
aching for Latin
Sociology
Engineering
McDonald's
Ravishing young women...

Laden with book bags
laptops
briefcases
stolen shopping carts
filled with a bedroll
a boom box

Look straight ahead
walk with a purpose
wear nondescript clothes
get in the car immediately
then lock the doors

Don't talk to strangers
or run out in traffic
or give money to the drunk man on the corner

It's like walking barefoot down Central Avenue
A stupid vulnerability
staples and broken glass attacking soft pads of flesh
A high price for the freedom of naked feet

But everyone feels the pain sometimes
Kick ourselves for stupidity
Bring the wrong portfolio on the day it's due
And learn

Sometimes we all walk barefoot down Central Avenue
but when we do, we have time to read the lamp posts
****************************************************
Yes, I have been walking downtown much more often than usual.

You know the signs that say "no shirt, no shoes, no service"? Does that mean that no pants is okay?