Greetings, Friends ~

While waiting at DMV some years ago, I noticed a woman waiting to be called to the counter. Her very presence told a story, so I wrote a poem about her for a 2002 Writer’s Market short poetry contest. Here it is.

Be Well,

Jana

___________________________________________________
Melva at DMV

Across the room
she sits, reading
brown pages tattered
dying text

Dime store shoes soil the carpet
nervously, she shifts
Cigarettes visible
a thin shirt pocket

One ring evidenced
happier times
face flush
unmistakably, liquor

Unnoticed by others
I study her
until, “Melva”?
a second call

Closing her book, she rises
smooth as habit
sadness lifts itself
and quietly follows.

Copyright 2002, Jana Brock. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.