experiences from work

by marianne

Posted to Action Poetry on 2001-08-21 11:14:00

these women
do nothing
but moan
moan moan moan
i try to moan
a litle with
them
sometimes
to make them feel better
maybe they can’t help
it
maybe it’s their age
or circumstances
whatever it is
i hope it’s not
contagious
i won’t cave in
just yet

Give me a cigarette
He said
No demanded
The man looked like a rollie
Give me a cigarette
He pleaded
His fingers brown and dented
From where the cigarette
Had always rested
Give me a cigarette
God damn it
Patience wearing thin
He’s 89 and whose
Gonna argue with the man

when i become old
i mean like old old
really ancient
i won’t rule out
the possibility
that i might one
day
thank someone for
taking me to the
bathroom
my last shred
of dignity
flushed down
the toilet
by a stranger
who has seen it
all before

i am so tired
forgive me
i have had a
12-hour shift
tomorrow
i will string

together some words
and write something
they call
poetry