wonderful as usual from you and christina.I could really see this poem,which
is my test of a good one.
Carol S
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maryann Hazen-Stearns" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 2:12 PM
Subject: Marla & Thelma (Christina)


> Hi folks,
>
> After much thought, I've finally gotten (My) Marla and (Christina's)
> Thelma together, at least in the same building and the same poem! C&C
> welcome.
>
> ~*~
>
> Wild Thoughts At The First National Bank
>
> The line snakes back and forth upon itself.
> Little by little people zig-zag
> to the opening at the end.
> A vacant-eyed woman yells, Next!
> I can help the next person!
>
> Marla clutches her purse
> between ribs and arm,
> watches each person in turn,
> wonders if they've dishes
> left unwashed in the sink.
>
> She suspects the woman
> huddled in the baggy gray sweater
> owns a shedding dog
> and barely suppresses the urge
> to pick at hundreds of black hairs
> covering the woman's sleeve.
> Marla wants to gag.
>
> She wonders if their families
> pray together before dinner
> or at bedtime for the lost,
> if their curtains are white,
> if they have mice in the attic,
> if the mice have been caught in traps,
> if the traps have been emptied
> or if the tiny bodies grow stiff
> waiting in the dark,
> heads cocked unnaturally
> under the rodent's severe version
> of limbo-stick.
>
> She thinks the man
> in the wrinkled blue shirt looks unkempt,
> imagines his small empty bed,
> gray sheets rumpled,
> shades drawn regardless of day or night,
> snack wrappers strewn on floor,
> dirty clothes piled in corner.
> The thought disgusts her.
>
> Marla watches the next woman in line.
> The woman looks familiar.
> She's seen her before,
> around, and then it's the woman's turn
> and Marla's eyes follow her as she approaches
> the Next! properly dressed teller.
> The lady lays down her paperwork,
> slides it toward the other woman
> who takes it and asks,
> Are you Thelma? Is this you?
> Do you have an account with us?
> Yes, the woman replies, of course.
> I wouldn't have come here if I didn't.
>
> Marla smiles to herself
> and wonders why tellers
> ask such inane questions.
> She feels a kindred connection
> to this Thelma; if they ever met properly,
> they might even become friends.
>
> Friends. As if Marla would consider
> friendship! An invasion into her life
> offering coffee, cookies and companionship!
> Someone dropping by unexpectedly. Oh no
> that would never do. Oh no.
> Never do.
>
> She unconsciously shakes her head,
> drops her eyes to the floor
> and waits for the snake
> to expel her toward
> the Next! available teller.
>
> ~*~
>
> Cheerwell, Mary :O)
>
>
> =====
> Good Cheer & Be Well,
> Maryann Hazen-Stearns
> "Under The Limbo Stick"
> http://www.geocities.com/Faerhart/
> also available at these locations:
> http://www.vivisphere.com  http://www.amazon.com
>
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