Marilyn,
I really enjoyed this.I have acouple sugestions

I didn't see those whiffs of sweat,
mustiness and landfill
infuse my lungs,       instead of lungs I would sugest using something to do
with the nose.

in the seat, where the polecat in chartreuse had sat.
I escaped the bookstore into sunlight's balm,  I did not feel like this
transition was very smooth.

I know some people will not believe I actually said something besides this
is outstanding.This will be outstanding with just a little more work.
Carol Sircoulomb

----- Original Message -----
From: Marilyn Injeyan
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2001 1:29 PM
Subject: New subject: When the Woman...


     When the Woman Who Reeked (and Needed
    More Than One Chair), Sat Next to Me


I didn't say, excuse me, even when
her thigh grazed mine, because I didn't
want feelings hurt.
     I didn't see those whiffs of sweat,
mustiness and landfill
infuse my lungs,
tried not to hear her fidget and slurp
dregs of iced coffee throughout.

I didn't stand up, just slid
inches to the right, listened to an author
who spoke on Keeping a Journal You Love.
I said I had her book, Writing Personal
Poetry, asked if she recorded dreams.

I saw four empty seats to the left -
a breath away from that sewer-like stench
beside me.  I waited until the speaker
was signing her latest, noticed a puddle
in the seat, where the polecat in chartreuse had sat.
I escaped the bookstore into sunlight's balm,
told this tale to a friend who mused,
"I wonder why God put that woman
in your life."

Marilyn Injeyan
August 13, 2001