A Day in the Lives
You think about the day's heat . . .
how you had considered
ordering in again
from the newish sandwich shop in the neighborhood . . .
how you made the decision to leave your apartment
get some fresh air
walk to this restaurant
get away from the poem you've been troubling over
the apprehension of confronting the empty page
the excitement of the writing once begun
of crafting a poem out of nothing-at-all
as if an act of prestidigitation . . .
pulling words out of a hat
massaging them, playing with them, pushing them around,
shaping them into different, sometimes odd,
unconventional, but magical pieces.
The walk works . . . you feel surprisingly refreshed.
It seems a perfect day.
~
The sommelier uncorking your bottle of red
is troubled by a feeling of anxiety.
He’s been thinking about his ex
whom he hasn't seen in months.
He woke this morning thinking about him . . .
thinking about the confused feelings he still has.
He's doing his best to perform his duties
present the bottle
uncork it
place the cork on the table
pour a taste into a stemmed glass
making sure to twist and lift the bottle ever so slightly
to eliminate drips and end the pour
step back and await your call.
His white shirt is inconspicuously immaculate
as are his black trousers.
He's been a sommelier at this three-star restaurant for three years.
He enjoys it.
He enjoys the respectability of being a master sommelier . . .
the years spent honing his expertise.
He sees that there are other tables awaiting him.
His mind flits about.
He had considered calling out of work
but was struck by a sense of loyalty.
Loyalty didn't seem too lofty for what he was feeling
so despite the muggy, withering heat
he came to work
hoping it would derail his obsessing.
~
The two women at the next table are regulars.
They are good friends.
One of them lost her husband to cancer a few months ago.
She has mornings when she doesn't want to get out of bed.
Her friend suggested grief counseling.
She went to a few sessions but they didn’t seem to help
so she stopped going.
She is thankful for her friend.
She enjoys her company
and the times they spend together.
At this restaurant, for example.
It's one of their favorites.
They chat with the sommelier.
The chef will soon join them.
~
The chef is on the phone with his wife.
She’s telling him that their son has been arrested for a DUI.
On top of that he mouthed off to the officers
so they cuffed him and took him to the station.
The chef and his wife are at wit’s end.
In the past year their son dropped out of college.
They're pretty sure he’s doing drugs.
He's become indifferent.
He doesn’t seem to care about anything but getting high.
He’s become increasingly disrespectful.
He was seeing a girl but she hasn’t been around.
He says he’s going to get a job and move out,
get his own apartment.
He can’t stand living there anymore.
He mocks them when they suggest that he needs help
that he should see a counselor or therapist.
Someone to talk to.
~
Elsewhere, the sommelier’s ex is driving an SUV.
Three friends are with him.
They have just enjoyed dinner at a restaurant
and are excited about tomorrow’s round of golf.
Last week he received a recall notice
about a potential hazard with the SUV’s tie rods.
He made an appointment for next week
to have the them replaced.
In about one hour, on a hill, the SUV’s tie rod will snap.
The SUV will crash through the guardrail,
flip onto its side, careen down an embankment into a river.
Everyone will be killed.
