STAFF MEETING
by Alicia Beckwith
Sitting here waiting for smugness
to switch to business
is trying my patience!
Blueness to blackness
grayness right on to
why, to business!
Laws upon endless laws
regulations with and without flaws.
Wrenches in the pocket
Brought front to docket.
Questions and answers?
Answers to questions?
Statements and suggestions?
Suggestions right back to questions!
Circular reasoning
Is so unseasoning
In this mode of long term care
where it truly is a DARE
to give love and care.
“HI, HOW ARE YOU?” YOU ASK —–
.
“Hi!, How are you”, you ask.
But you don’t wait for an answer
as you rush through your agenda
pat me on the back then rush away.
“How are you?”
You really want to know?
I doubt it – it’s just a button you push
when you don’t know what else to say.
Sales clerks, car salesmen and, well everyone ask this question.
Most without a hesitation of politeness.
Most everyone continues to talk right after asking.
Why do we do this?
Why are we so artificial, not really caring
to talk to the other person for just a real minute?
Why don’t we care anymore?
Don’t we have feelings anymore?
Can’t we stop to really talk?
Really listen, and then speak –
Let them know we’re interested,
so the they know we care?
What has happened to our society
where we give this perfunctory greeting
then rush on not letting the other person reply?
It just doesn’t mean a thing ———————————-anymore.
Alicia Beckwith is a local poet and has been writing poetry for four decades. Her poems have been published in book collections and magazines.
RUNDELANIA 