Hesitation: Place 8

It’s a little after noon at the Preserve today. I don’t have any good essay-type ideas so I think I’ll work on a poem today. That’s funny. Run out of ideas? Just write a poem. No ideas necessary. In fact, bring an empty mind, totally void of all ideas. Anyway, here’s a poem inspired by the last line of Tim Seibles ‘Leap.’

Hesitation


It will always be morning.

Except when it’s mid-afternoon
and lunch settles into your stomach
and you’d give anything to kick
your feet up on your desk
and close your eyes
but God wants to see you in Her office.
It’s your annual review
and if you even want a chance
at getting a raise
you’d better be in there on time
God doesn’t like tardiness
especially now that we’ve got Outlook
and reminders pop up on your screen
No more excuses for being late
She said in a staff meeting
so you watch the clock tick
and you consider checking your voicemail
but decide to leave it until
right before close of business,
that way you can ignore it more easily.
When it’s time
you walk to God’s office
There is thunder on the other side
of the office door.
You grab the knob and stop.
It’s beginning to get cold.
You hope it’s not raining inside.


Well, it’s a first draft. This poem isn’t about the game preserve or anything “natural” for that matter, but it’s what I wanted to do when I stopped at the preserve today. The fact is, I find that being here does provide a writer-friendly environment. I think I’ll start coming here more often with the intention of writing poetry. This is the first time I’ve really given it a shot. I’m glad I picked this spot. I think I’ll come back.