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The Candlemaker's Office

The Candlemaker’s Office 
     was sparsely filled. 

The worn brass door knob —
     a patina 
     countless hands
          slipping over its surface,
     polished and discolored
          by each touch.

That oak door —
     turning my wrist 
     lean into it
     fighting the rub 
          door against frame
     hearing single pane glass
          rattle — 

I’d     pushed     through.

His wall —
     dirty darkened oak 
     framed a wall of glass
     allowing The Candlemaker
     to gaze 
          upon 
               people 
               machine
if he chose —
     yet his view 
          on equal footing
               not elevated
               a humble oversight.

Flooring — 
     off-white asbestos
     set in squares
     dark from factory dirt
     moved by the feet of workers.

A lone green metal desk —
     flanked by a single gray file cabinet:
          adding machine, 
          rotary phone,
          worn desk blotter,
          barometer,
          a nameplate
               should you not know who he was.

Similar version previously published by Ink, Sweat and Tears 2019

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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Date: 1/20/2021 2:56:00 PM
Beautiful poem, Jeremy. Takes you to another era ~ so glad it was published in the 2020 PS Anthology.
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Book: Reflection on the Important Things