Walls, themselves do
Tranquilize you.
Daubed of what, drawn in by
Frames whose escapes
Burst the present
Hushed dread's consent.
A set of bright, airy
Wet-ran landscapes.
SEARCH FOR ME on the dusty bookshelf,
in this room filled with very old books.
I sit here waiting to be chosen,
needing to be read by a reader.
Do you know it is hard to find me?
Old books standing cover to cover,
wait for a reader to SEARCH FOR ME.
I long to be in your loving hands,
and being read by your loving eyes.
Before the Breath admitted—
We dwelt—in Neighboring Mist—
A Corridor of Quiet—
By Seraph—sometimes Kissed—
No Clock—presumed—to tally—
No Noon—to be—declared—
The Light—was but a Whisper—
That would not say—we erred—
We lingered—in a Silence—
That had no Need—of Name—
A gentle—Pre-existence—
Too delicate—for Flame—
The Souls—like folded Letters—
Awaited—Earthly Hands—
To open—what was written—
In unremembered Sands—
And I—perhaps among them—
Sat—Docile—in the Air—
Until the World—requested—
My small—appointment—here—
Thus—when the Cradle called Me—
I rose—from Ether’s Home—
Exiting—an endless Chamber—
To find—a Mortal—Home—
Rush ~ hurry up and wait
Letting you know his time’s more valuable
Sit there and be patient
Wordku: 5-7-5 words
the calm here is filled with your presence
i feel your energy come over me
as it lingers in the air i breathe
and paints a warm smile upon my face
i do not feel alone
it's surreal how there is hovering
that's tangible between the two dimensions
meanwhile this still looks much like
a processing plant but feels to me
more like a gateway where we said our last goodbyes
and i have come to bask in this energy
so no, i do not feel alone
i'm remembering how i waited
in this same room on this same chair
then you would suddenly come around the corner
such were the simple times
when i was there for you
and you were here for me
but still i feel your kinetic energy
like arms around my body
and do not feel alone
AP: 3rd place 2025, Honorable Mention 2026, Honorable Mention 2025
An hour in the waiting room –
You look around and see
All kinds of folks in varied states
Of some uncertainty.
The old and feeble being wheeled
By aides providing care
And little babies, so you wonder
Why they’re even there.
The TV blasts and kiosks wait
For people to check in,
Anxiety on all the faces
Like a second skin.
And one by one, the names are called,
Abandoning their seats,
To shuffle off while new ones come;
The cycle then repeats.
It’s rare to see a smile
Or an expression of relief,
For stress and fear combine to form
The waiting room motif.
Family
sits in waiting room
prays
Radiation lobby,
filled with unspoken sense.
I see a community of fighters and partners.
The partners are
the curious who know.
They sit using books as blinders,
or sitting watching others.
They are family waiting.
The fighters are strugglers,
arriving with smiles or stone faces.
They are:
slow walkers
fast walkers
chair riders
cane holders,
or with chemo caps,
or cancer wigs.
Travelers
funneling through a journey of hope.
Given by greeters and nurses.
Cancers lessen
by treatment with
radium and cobalt sessions.
And then a bell rings,
for someone,
radiation is ending.
Now there is a light around you,
and you are free.
Still, we think of new others,
a cycle continues
with new faces same faces,
until cancer fades,
with no traces.
Let me introduce myself
My name is suicide
I live in the shadows
Just at the back of your mind
You’ll probably never meet me
Sometimes I'm on posters
Usually in your doctor’s waiting room
You may glance at me
Put me to the back of your mind
That continuous cough
Your main concern today
Sure you’ll get better soon
Now we come to the other guy
I’m at the forefront now
Doesn’t seem to be any alternatives
No introduction needed
No explanation required
Sometimes we have a trial run
Just to see
But really, our mind is made up
The poster stares right at him
Taunting, asking what he’s thinking
What is he thinking
The same thoughts as yesterday
The day before yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
The cough would have responded to antibiotics
But it was never really about the cough.
we confidently march along
until something unexpected happens
an event out of our control
then we begin to grovel and beg
wishing and praying for patience
in Gods’ waiting room
Waiting
Waiting again
Some things never change
They get worse with age
Do they enjoy being
The center of attention?
That goes without saying
Doesn't it?
They may feign embarrassment
Blush and smile
Might even apologize --
No, really?
It's all a game to them
They're stuck in childhood
No matter
There may be a hell in their future
A hell with a Waiting Room
The hours go so fast
Whenever I see you
But minutes are eternity
In between the times I do
I really wish that it could be
The other way around
Where moments last for decades
And the second hand slows down
And so until our paths next cross
Each day I'll mark the end
With X's on my calendar,
The waiting I will spend
In coy anticipation
Of seeing you again
Of swallowing my gum
The moment you walk in
Little do I know
my discarnate resume
who will I become
The waiting room, we go into it
Intuit
Says fear and what ifs await
A weight
Hangs heavy 'pon shoulders
Smolders
Then sags, lips droop, eyes dim
Brim
With tears until
'Til
The doctor says all is well
Well!
An Echo Verse poem. A novelty type of verse. I thought I would give it a try.
Written: January 07, 2023
patients, waiting room
masked by Fauci, do not speak
only mice may squeak
9/29/2022
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