Where Have All the Bookstores Gone?

Where Have All the Bookstores Gone?

A quick trip to find a paperback of Huckleberry Finn,
A rather cheap edition which the kid could highlight in.
She needed it by morning, last minute we did face
To run out to the bookstore. (It’s my favorite kind of place!)

Just for extra credit, a few points more or less,
And teacher dearest promised bookstore’d remedy the mess.
Okay, wait till last minute, but that’s what mom’s about.
“At THREE the bookstore closes? On a Sunday?” we all shout!

So we wander off to next town quickly formulating quest,
“I know where there’s a bookstore, a bit farther but it’s best.”
We putt on down the freeway to this great bookshoppe we know
But What?? The book place now’s a wooden furniture type store!

Grrr and grumble, my jowls mumbled all along the busy street
Not a bookstore left existing, what sorry fate will this world meet?
Lots of fast food restaurants, McDonalds, Jack’s and Bell's,
And on every other corner a nightmare video to sell!

My gosh, where’s the nearest seller of the volumes we all love?
Always Pickwicks, Daltons, Crowns around, now--none of the above!
So sad to think our children missing out on these great halls
To collect their own editions. (I refuse to visit malls!)

“I know one!” daughter cried, "I went there with my friend
“It's really big and fun inside. Have you extra money we can spend?
“While we pick our publications we can have a little snack!"
“Heaven sakes, Mom we will need it for the long ride there and back!”

As I drove around in circles looking for the old books spots
I finally threw my hands up and claimed this journey "NOT."
And home we did return like pups with tails between our legs
And use the yellow pages to find where to finally dreg

Or better yet the Internet to secure required text
We’ll have it by tomorrow if we order it Fed Ex.
But I really truly wonder why the bookstores are all gone
And in their place a video/DVD store sings its song?

The governors all worry 'bout the literacy rate?
(No single IQ lowered by a bookstore known to date!)
Can we say the same for video/ DVD stores and the like?
Do they enlighten and enrich our minds? More like a hunger strike!

Sunday’s dash to local bookshop, the only left the town,
Proved a very dreary lesson but my kids and I are bound
To patronize our oldest and best book store down the street
And make sure it stays in business, for it truly is a treat!!