the woman
the grandmother
pokes through the bags
in a way that seems weary
the shelves are filled
with Valentine's candy
the man and the girl
the son and granddaughter
stand too close together
they stand in a way
that you know
when you see them
he strokes the girl’s hair
he speaks in her ear
she blushes and smiles
she plays with his fingers
the grandmother turns
and tells them to stop
in a way that you know
she has seen it too often
a kid builds a pipe bomb
a man shoots his lover
a girl kills her baby
then goes to the prom
you read it and wonder
why does it happen
you read it and wonder
where it begins
but you know when it stands without shame
right beside you
you know what it is
and you know that it’s ticking.