The Awkward Poem

By Edmund Siejka A high school English teacher Issues a challenge Her class Is to write a poem. Reading a student’s poem Her experienced eye Searches for Imagery Metaphor Tone Point of view Ultimately the student’s poem Is graded a gentleman’s C. Somewhat surprised The student admits his shortcomings Indicating that poetry is a lot like writing Disappointed The teacher Doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Coming home that night on a crowded train The teacher passes up a seat Letting an exhausted looking woman Sit down Thankful For this simple courtesy Brief smiles are exchanged Strangers from two different worlds. The teacher notices the smell of disinfectant Hovering over the woman Thick fingers holding tightly to her purse The woman Begins an animated conversation With two other women Broken English Graceful hand movements Words interrupted with laughter. From what the teacher hears She believes the women Are cleaning ladies The little people who clean the bathrooms Vacuum carpeted hallways Empty the trash From windowed offices High above the New York skyline. The words ‘poetry is a lot like writing’ Linger in the teacher’s memory One thing she is sure of The ladies know of life After years of Hard work for little pay Hungry children Angry husbands Absentee landlords. The train stops Momentarily the ladies collect In a small group On the empty train platform Suddenly there is no more talking In the awkward silence Each of the ladies turn Toward the direction Of a place they call home.