ann arbor is overrated.

The votes are in and the winner of the Ann Arbor is Overrated contest to rewrite “Down On Main Street” is Dixie, whose heartwarmingly “positive” take on the whole thing charmed readers. (Aw.) Here’s the new version:

I remember kissing under the million sparkly winter tree-lights
Trying not to shock the prudes
There was this small remainder bookstore, Afterwords,
Where we knocked the snow off shoes
For a long, warm hour we poked through the shelves,
Showed each other finds, and forgot ourselves,
Down on Main Street.

In the coffeeshops, the poseurs, and the artistes,
We used to mock them through the glass,
When I slipped on ice you’d pull my hand,
I cuddled close, let yuppies pass.
Unlike all the self-important glitter of café and store,
Small mitten-in-mitten walk meant something more,
Down on Main Street.

Like the ousted dim old office store, the former drugstore there,
Some memory of you’s in the snowy air
Down on Main Street.
Down on Main Street.

Thanks to everyone who participated.