The Waiting Room
The receptionist at Medical Imaging
tells the man in the wheelchair
to have a seat
I look around to see
If anyone has noticed
the redundancy of that instruction
but they’re all on their phones
plucking messages from the ether.
The waiting room is brightly decorated,
I pass the time by giving names to the colours
Monday Custard yellow
Remains of The Rain Forest green.
Life is a waiting room
Man, that’s deep!
I should stop reading that Dan Brown novel.
I reflect on the spread of the literal
there’s a cafe on Broadway called “Provisions”
elsewhere there’s a bar called Brown’s Social House
there’s a restaurant called The Eatery.
Next they’ll be putting signs on park benches
saying “Place Where People Sit”.
But just when I think that irony is dead
the NRA, having learnt that the innocent man
executed by ICE agents in Minneapolis
was carrying a concealed weapon,
feels obliged to point out that this is not an offence
that warrants execution.
It is the God given right of every American to carry a weapon.
They fail to mention that peaceful protest
is also not an offence that warrants execution.
The receptionist calls the guy in the wheelchair.
Time moves slowly in the waiting room
outside the world is moving in fast forward.
Taking part in Open Link over at dverse
Stopdraggingthepanda 
Incisive and dreadful rolled into one, JIM.
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Great reading of your poetic observations and reflections Loved the last two lines
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Thank you , Marja!
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The irony of it all… so many examples, just like Alonis Morrisette… “It’s a death row pardon two minutes too late” – NRA’s comment
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Alanis got it right, good song!
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The irony in your poem is steel-like, Jim. I’m forever wondering whether some doctors’ receptionists like their jobs or are even qualified to interact with people who need to be seen and their problems to be acknowledged. The same applies to government officials. I’ve played a similar colour game while waiting. Your reflection on the spread of the literal made me chuckle – it’s true!
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Thank you Kim, idle minds eh!
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😊
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Some gatekeepers are lacking logic and compassion.
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I just got told that a 2-day “expedited” check, for a $15 fee, would take up to two weeks to receive!
Surely you didn’t expect the NRA to make any more logical sense than ICE?
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Well that’s a good point, Eilene, perhaps naivety on my part!
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I like the narrative, your inner thoughts and the events happening outside. Love this line: Life is a waiting room. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a good weekend.
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Thank you Grace!
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A deceptively powerful poem, Jim! Very pertinent, and wise.
I really enjoyed the contrast with “Time moves slowly in the waiting room / outside the world is moving in fast forward.”
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Thank you Sunra!
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An amazing poem, Jim .. deep as deep can go. I lived in Minneapolis 24 years decades ago. Many friends my age [70s-80s] are at this minute bundled up against the extreme cold, standing on sidewalks, holding signs, singing at the top of their lungs. I am in awe of every person who protests. I am not at peace, nor will I feel it until this tragedy ends. Thank you for gifting us your poetry.
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Thank you Helen, much appreciated, the people of Minneapolis are very brave !
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