Jc Hawkens Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

 

Photo by Kálita Penha on Unsplash

 

This Poem may seem like a day in the life of me. But I wrote it as an allegory of how, as a society, we have to deal with our new state of reality.

Covid 19 the Day After Or There About

I wrote two terrible poems last night.
Will this one be another?
I am looking at the clock.
It is time to leave and get the oil changed.
I read the sign as I pull in.
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask, No Service.
I don my mask before entering.

I greet the girl behind the counter.
Do I need an appointment?
I do not know all the rules.
She replies, walk-ins welcomed.

Politely takes my keys.
Just an oil change JC, I nod.
She knows me by name.
Not because of my Poetry.
It is just that I have been here before.

The service starts promptly.
Three now toil on my vehicle.
It used just to be one.
I am the lone customer in the reception area.

Tv still playing the same station.
No more free coffee.
My soul smiles, anyway.
I guess I should have expected it.

I start to listen to Janine Jansen, Vivaldi.
My earbuds are a no-name brand.
I wish I had my Audiophile headset.
But that would be rude.

The technician approaches me.
I was expecting this.
It is not a cabin filter this time.
That would only cost me an extra twenty bucks.

He explains I need my transmission fluid changed.
That is another One Hundred and Eighty bucks.
Shows me the samples he took.
I agree, and he says it will take a little while longer.

As I sit here listening to music.
My keys arrive twenty minutes later.
Drat, I still need a little more hope.
I was looking for one more concerto.

Time to pay as panic sets.
Did I forget my wallet?
No, it is here in my back pocket.
A wave of relief washes over me.

I am slowly returning to normalcy.
On the way home, I am thinking, Metallica.



1st place

BRIAN'S CHOICE 10,any form,any theme
Contest Judged:  5/30/2020 4:05:00 AM
Sponsored by: Brian Strand

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Jennifer Proxenos July 14, 2020 at 12:13 PM The new normal, the day after tomorrow perhaps in 5 years time, it is now becoming scarier as the time passes, we hear of acquaintances a member of our extended family, a close friend, someone that is known to us dies or has covid, a shop or two are closed down to be disinfected, don't touch other peoples pets, no more guests over, no dinner parties, and so it continues. Great poem congratulations JC. Blessings, Jennifer.

Darlene De Beaulieu June 28, 2020 at 1:27 PM Hello J.C Hawkens, yes to wear a mask has become mandatory. To enter a store you must wear a mask. Coffee in an auto shop does not taste good. Enjoy your day my friend.

D.W. Rodgers June 28, 2020 at 10:08 AM Nice account of the new normal. Congrats on your placement btw - the coffee was terrible anyway and they always tell you your transmission fluid is dark and needs changing.

Paula Goldsmith June 27, 2020 at 2:20 PM Sorry, this is late. I just found it. Congratulations on your win. Please, wake me up from this very bad dream. I want it to be like it was. Enjoy your win and day........

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders June 9, 2020 at 5:05 PM A day in the life of the new normal. Well written, JC. I enjoyed the vivid details...blessings, Rhonda xx

JC Brul June 9, 2020 at 4:54 AM Superb poem with superb imagery! Congratulations on your top win! To my faves.!

Andrea Dietrich June 1, 2020 at 6:44 PM This is FANTASTIC writing!! No wonder you got a first place. Congratulations!! FAVE Jc Hawkens June 6, 2020 at 3:18 PM Thank you for your inspiring words, and for the fave.

Vijay Pandit June 1, 2020 at 6:43 AM Congrats on you TOP win JC--such exquisite imagery in your poem--well deserved win! Jc Hawkens June 6, 2020 at 3:17 PM Thank you for this wonderful comment.

Lindsay Laurie May 31, 2020 at 7:09 PM Hello JC … this appears to be the new normal that we are all about to be living with. There will be so much doubt in our minds until we become educated to it all - thank you JC - Lindsay Jc Hawkens June 1, 2020 at 4:05 AM My dad doesn't read fiction and tries very hard to make an exception to my poetry. He said that he had mixed emotions on this one. He liked it but was dreading going out in the world. There are so much fear and anxiety right now. Going to do any simple chore shouldn't cause this, and this is what I wanted to capture. Thank you for your comment.

Silent One May 31, 2020 at 2:21 PM I do not think things will ever be the same... Was life ever normal? Really enjoyed your poem. Jc Hawkens June 1, 2020 at 3:55 AM One can only hope that life will return to normal, but you are correct life will never be the same. I was wondering when normal went out the window. I think maybe in my life, it all started with 911.

Arturo Michael May 31, 2020 at 8:35 AM You took me on a morning ride to the service station..it was a pleasant one indeed...no money worries and good music...All the best Jc Hawkens June 1, 2020 at 3:50 AM Thank you for your wonderful comment. Blessings my friend.

Michelle Faulkner May 29, 2020 at 9:51 PM Hi JC, I think this is the 'new normal' - when I was going to the grocery store the other day. the first thing I thought was 'Do I have my mask?' The more things change... Jc Hawkens May 30, 2020 at 9:43 AM I think panic is the new first-order right now. I keep extra masks in the car just for this reason. There are so many new rules, changing with each business too. Some even want you to call ahead, so it's frightening not to know if you are doing everything correctly. Thank you for your excellent comment.

Ilene Bauer May 29, 2020 at 3:49 PM i was with you on this one all the way, jc! you really brought the whole scene to life and i felt exactly what (i think) you were feeling. well done... Jc Hawkens May 30, 2020 at 9:37 AM I wasn't going to do a COVID 19 Poem, but this one just came out of nowhere. Sometimes poems come out of unexpected places, even from the very subject of where you didn't want to go. I think our lives are so surreal and frightening at times right now. Everything has changed, yet some things remain the same. Thank you for the wonderful comment...