Poetry Feature: “The Hard Worker”
November 5, 2019
The hard worker
start the experiment, wash glassware when done, don’t drop this one
all my concentration, all my focus is here, so single-minded me
ok now
step out of lab for just a minute
walk across the hall, four steps, that’s all
open the bathroom door
and go into the vacant stall farthest from the door
in the ventless mix of lab scents and sewer drain never cleaned
as quietly as you can (in case someone has to pee)
hunch into yourself as far as your self can hunch
cry what you haven’t been thinking onto tiles that have seen twelve thousand bleachings
watch water pellet from behind your sight like a classical perspective exercise
draw your straightest lines, and aim them as they land
you can hear them when they splash if it’s quiet and you are alone
(which you are)
did you have any idea that a puddle this big could come from a face?
“oh hi
wow you’re always here
well have a good weekend!”