NaPoWriMo #9: Poetry Reading at a Community College

Poetry Reading at a Community College

The hardbacked plastic chair creaks,
Weight shifting from side to side, trying
To catch a glimpse between the mishmash
Suited scholars and bored twentysomethings,

It's whispering under the breath of the distinguished poet
Who's gripping the podium and casting eyes to the rafters
Reciting verse while we all tail behind,
It must be that point in the evening when classes are over

And in the catwalks above, the nurses-in-training spill out
Above the motley crowd, you, in your pink scrubs,
Phone plastered against your cheek, loudly proclaim
"There's some guy reading something"

To that invisible party on the other side,
The weight shifts back as heads crane backward
So you say, "Yeah, idunno, what are you up to?"
Ignoring the huff-and-puff of the offended audience

Even the students, the slaves of extra credit assignments,
Click their teeth and shake their heads, lazy eyes
Following you down the staircase, back and forth
Crossing the foyer, disappearing, and crossing again.

And like the poet, we transport to your future
As you check us in to the emergency room
Slap on a blood pressure sleeve around our waist,
Tighten the belt as you wield your pen

Check some box on a form to mark an estimated blood type,
Your gum smacks as you wheel us down the hallway,
Leaving us unattended outside some room, then depart,
Finding yourself halfway and turn around, blushing

Saying, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I caught your name."