Reader response critisicm take on Woolworth's for Greg Fallon.

Well Hillringhouse ‘ poem Woolworth’s for Greg Fallon is about a sad and dramatic ending of many of Woolworth’s store across the nation which left thousands of people’s lives devastated including his own life. Woolworth is one of the world most well- known and oldest shopping stores was recently forced to close down many of its key stores  because of stiff competition from other new emerging store. Since its inception 100 of years back by a potato farmer turn business tycoon, Frank Woolworth has many ups and down in his life’s journey. He was the first store owner who introduced the new system of “self- service”. Before that all the merchandises were kept behind the glass and customer had to give a list of what they want to buy to the store staff. Because of his ingenuity and hard work he had good start in the beginning of his venture, though he had his own share of misfortune.

            This particular poem of Hillringhouse is divided into four stanza which having its distinctive idea. In the first stanza, author cleverly illustrated the gloomy downfall of this old business center in a very plaintive way, “the ancient names of old stores fading like the last century” and “sun light dipping down the stone facades”. The Woolworth is woven with the life of the concerning city that he was wondering how they are going to survive (this city that has no more memory of itself than river has of rain).

            In the second stanza, author is reminiscing his experienced in that once big and variety store. From line 1 to 6 author says, “I can still smell the hotdog counter and the pretzel carousal. I loved the sound of birds as I entered , the watery bubbles from acquarium filters over the plants. If I imagined like a child walking with my mother, the store part rainforest, and closed my eyes I was in some tropical country”.

            The third stanza shows how the once blooming store is now emptied as heavily discounted goods are randomly stack one upon another.

            The last stanza shows how this has an adverse effect on many people. “swaying to regain my balance behind the men who walk home from sweaty jobs with clenched fists”.