I was hurrying out of the bookstore
with my backpack
when the alarm sounded
there were two women in front of me
an older old woman and a younger old woman
the younger old woman heard the alarm
stopped walking and said
what is that beeping? is that us?
stepping quickly past them, I said
no, I believe that that
was me
the older old woman
took one look at me and said
well, you certainly look guilty
I laughed and said
yeah, I get that a lot
it must be the hair
and all three of us laughed
before walking off
to wherever life would have us next
as I made my way around
the back of the building, I thought
well, one of us must be guilty
and I don’t mind
if it’s me
today