Rhona Mcferran Poet Free verse

I Could Get Paid For This

I must have one of those faces
or maybe people just assume
that because I'm quiet
I must be a good listener, because
wherever I go- they find me

The talkers, the sad, the lonely
the frustrated, the depressed
the I-just-don't-know-what-to-dos

Like the nameless young woman
who hailed me like a cab
in the gas station parking lot
to tell me that she's pregnant
just found out today
and there's no way
she's having it because
she just had a baby
about a month ago
her husband doesn't even know
yet, and she's so upset!

Or like the produce guy at the grocery store
who suddenly told me he's not speaking
to his brother anymore
after last night's drunken fight...

Or the customer I barely knew
who cried on my shoulder
telling me how, since she's gotten
older- her husband doesn't
love her anymore
then asked me to say a prayer
right then and there
assuming for some reason
that I knew what to do
so I held her hand
and fumbled and bumbled my
awkward way through...
  
Or the co-workers calling me
all hours of day and night
with their various plights
bedroom problems I don't want to hear-
“Have you ever tried telling
your husband this, dear?”

Random people, random problems
maybe ignorance really is bliss?!
Or maybe I'm in the wrong line of work-
'cause I could get paid for this...

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Agnes Krampe October 15, 2018 at 6:22 AM Maybe you look like a trustworthy, approachable, kind person? There is something about sharing with complete strangers whom one will never see again...

Andrea Dietrich October 14, 2018 at 3:27 PM I saw your comment below to Eve. The way I was raised, my sisters and I are not afraid to talk about weird stuff to strangers. But I do try to reserve that kind of talk for just friends! It's funny to see how differently people have been taught to engage with others! Rhona Mcferran October 14, 2018 at 6:52 PM Yes, it is funny... I don't generally mind talking about weird stuff either- but I do draw the line when people start to share deeply personal relationship issues... as I feel that I cannot help them and they would be better suited talking it out with their spouse (or even a marriage counselor) instead!

Andrea Dietrich October 14, 2018 at 3:25 PM Rhona, what the heck IS your job? I mean, they are they finding you at your work place? Maybe you should walk around like all the younger set with your cell phone looking really occupied with it!! Keep your head down if you see this type coming at you! Hold your cell phone to your ear and start pretending to be talking to someone! I REALLy enjoyed this one. I too am a good listener AND talker. I blab too much to folks too, but thank goodness I do not run into this thing of yours too often! Rhona Mcferran October 14, 2018 at 6:47 PM So glad you enjoyed this! ;) The part about the customer (and the co-workers) was from years ago when I worked in retail. Since I became a freelancer & work from home this kind of thing doesn't happen nearly as often! Although, they sometimes still find me in the checkout lines at the grocery store...

Eve Roper October 13, 2018 at 9:54 PM Oh Rhona, I would hate to be this type of person.. Sad stories makes the person listening sad and depressed. And yes a counselor do get the big bucks :) Rhona Mcferran October 13, 2018 at 10:47 PM Oddly enough, I don't mind people sharing sad things... it just strikes me as odd when people I don't know at all approach me (like the lady at the gas station) and tell me such intensely personal things! But, I guess some people are effected differently (I know this kind of thing would depress my husband terribly). Thanks for the visit & comment! ;)

Line Gauthier October 13, 2018 at 6:55 AM Beautifully written, Rhona. A totally delightful poem. Well penned. Rhona Mcferran October 13, 2018 at 10:43 PM Thank you so much- I am so glad you liked it! ;)

Caren Krutsinger October 12, 2018 at 9:03 PM You are in exactly the right kind of work, but you are right. You could get paid for it. There are counseling programs in every state and country, and you are never too old to go back to school. I did not get a degree in anything that paid until I was 44 years young. Your story sounds SO similar. Rhona Mcferran October 12, 2018 at 9:57 PM Who knows? Maybe one of these days... (although, right now, I'm having a blast just writing!)