Photo by Daniel Frese
“The worst thing that can happen to you is to cut yourself lose from people. And the best thing is to sort of vaccinate yourself right into the streams and blood of the people. To feel like you know the best and the worst of folks that you see everywhere and never to feel weak, or lost, or even lonesome anywhere.” – Woody Guthrie
I was in the library a few weeks ago. This happened…
Sisters
Two sisters twirl on the twirly chairs
as Mom sits nearby on her phone
at the back of the library
One ashy blonde. one curly brunette
perhaps ten and eight
in library quietness they don’t disturb
Gently gliding on the tabletop
and plopping on the comfy couch
entertaining each other in silence
The elderly man in brown slacks
and a pale yellow button-down shirt
sits reading a large-print western novel
When he stands to leave he wobbles
trying to get his cane and legs in sync
without dropping his book
The blonde rushes over to assist him
though he is steady by then, but she hovers
just in case
Mom never notices
and I want to tell her
you’ve got lovely daughters, kind daughters
but as they leave her phone is at her ear
Not In This Soup Alone 