abstract art
was on the walls
the floor was slowly giving way
to a pool of bright clear water
shining like diamonds on the sand
and people I didn’t know
would stop and say hello
while dripping paint behind
in a funny sort of silhouette
then the moons did catch my eyes
as they rose next to the sun
the art got up and walked away
and the water flowed up to the sky
leaving me behind
in an unknown hallway
feeling about to cry
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – abstract
Everyone, at some point in their life, should have to do two jobs. Any job having to do with working with the public. And also a little time in a food service job. They both teach you a lot about how to be a better customer, because there are some of us when placed in the public pool that act completely rude.
I have had jobs with the public both early (a paper carrier complete with collections needed on the route) and late (a cashier at a discount store) in life, and I can’t say one time was easier than the other. But I sure learned things about people in both situations.
People don’t think… they just speak. Favorite story working in retail was a slow day (a lot of them were) and a customer approached me looking for lint rollers. I easily directed her to the ones right by the check outs. She stared at the package (which pictured a dog and cat) and asked if it removed anything besides pet hair. While I WANTED to say no, it leaves everything else behind, I did say and point out on the label where it removed dirt, dust, hair, lint, the usual things a lint brush removes. But she had been dead serious when she asked if it took more than pet hair off. She just didn’t think.
I learned a few things in food service too. First of all it can be a lot of hard work if you are in a busy popular restaurant. I worked at both a popular restaurant and a fast food place. People can be downright rude about their food. The wait staff and kitchen have no problems with food being sent back, but do it in a nice tone. I recall on more that one occasion getting cheeseburgers sent back for no cheese… hello, that is called a hamburger then, don’t order it as a cheeseburger. And there are always those who don’t actually read the menu and act surprised when their food comes out with something on it they didn’t want. READ the menu, don’t just look at the pictures.
Sadly there are things I do now that I no longer work that make me cringe inside. Believe me cashiers have heard MANY times, “Do you need something to do?” “Are you working here?” (this one is usually asked when in full “uniform”) and the most popular “If there is no price it must be free?” And I should know better than to use those tired sayings, but I still catch myself every once in a while doing so.
Before I stop my mumbling for the day… remember the carts do NOT magically move themselves into the line up. If you want cashiers at registers instead of moving carts around, try putting them away on the way out the door… all the way away, not three steps from the other carts. (Sorry a huge pet peeve of mine when I worked). And when a cashier asks you how your day is, yes it is their job, but if they are a decent cashier, they really do hope you found everything ok. Have a nice day!
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – public
I keep it hidden
Deep inside a drawer
The one thing you ever gave me
It was a poem written for me
In the darkness of the night
One of longing and love
And a little bit of passion
It was just before I lost you
To the injustice of the day to day
When someone ran a red light
And took you from me
I trace the handwritten words
Every once in a while
Remembering your strong hands
And the way you touched my skin
Then tenderly I return it
To the safety of its home
Until I need that reminder
Of how real our love once was
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – drawer
The vacation was over and David was headed home. He was unlocking the door to his apartment and thought he smelled something odd. It was not a pleasant smell, but maybe the neighbors were just cooking some exotic new dish and the odor was only unfamiliar. Then he swung the door open and got a whiff of something strong. Trying not to inhale too deeply he stepped inside and closed the door. The smell was sickening and he had to find its source. He approached the kitchen and found the smell was stronger. Then he realized the gentle ticking of his wall clock could not be heard. He tried the light switch and nothing happened. It was then he realized all the food in his refrigerator had spoiled. He knew he should have had a friend check in on the place while he was gone for a month. He would never go on vacation again without leaving his key with someone. A freezer half-full of meat and groceries wasted, he was glad it hadn’t been fully stocked.
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – whiff
Frank’s fox was fierce
showing fearsome fangs
Frank’s fox was fast
frolicking in the field
Frank’s fox was frantic
fighting feral felines
Frank’s fox feasted
feeding on fried food
Frank’s fox found friendship
with a fox from Freemont
Frank’s fox is now a father…
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – fierce
Don’t challenge me
I won’t back down
I won’t listen to your lies
And I protect my own
You lost your chance
When you turned your back
You can’t push me around
I’m stronger than you know
Don’t challenge me
You won’t win
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – challenge
my past comes back in waves
from a former love in my life
he’s the one that got away
the one that still holds my heart
the one I can never replace
but he is happy now
in the arms of another
and knowing he is doing well
has become enough for me
to wish him well and close the page
on that chapter of my history
with little regret
and lots of fond memories
for the man who blessed my life
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – former
I have not been very prompt with the daily writing challenge I do. I fell way behind when Dad was in the hospital and I am still a week behind. But I had plans for this day’s post. It was going to be my challenge to work in a birthday post around the word for the 17th… but I am not feeling good for my chances with “prompt” as the word of the day. I am just going to make this two posts in one basically then. One about how I am still trying to catch up, and one about birthdays. …please stay with me for a while.
Most of my computer time used to be in the evening and night. Now with being at Dad’s overnight I am having to sneak in moments during the day to work on the prompts. I still have to do my day to day things (cleaning, errands and the necessary resting that comes from fibro) and try to fire up the brain to write at a time of day that I have not done much writing for awhile. I have faith I will get this done.
I am still going through your posts one by one trying to get to the next challenge. I am hoping that by mid November I am back at home and a little more caught up. Dad sees a neurologist soon and has another sleep study planned… if we can knock out some of his confusion and memory issues things will be better. If we can’t and that is just the new norm, we have to come up with something more permanent to do for him.
Now October 17th… best day of the year! Ok, so maybe it no longer holds that place of honor it held as a kid, but I still enjoy my birthdays. I went through cancer 15 years ago and can honestly say birthdays are not bothersome to me, they are a blessing. I have fought to stay here on this earth so I am kind of proud of each of my 52 years. I know… gasp! Shock! A woman admitting her age older than 29… it is unthinkable. I am a true believer in age being a state of mind. Sure there are some really bad fibro days where I hurt and ache so much I swear I am 100, but I do occasionally get those days, or at least moments that I feel like I am in my twenties again. Those days are precious and make the rest of them bearable.
This year, as is usual, I spent the day with family. We went out to eat and I watched my boyfriend eat a heart attack on a bun… no seriously this burger was called The Defibrillator. It was a half pound of hamburger, onions, lettuce, tomato, sauce and topped with cheese curds. He said it was really good, but only got through half of it in one sitting. The company was great, the food delicious and it almost felt like a “normal” day, until I had to go back to Dad’s and stay the night with him again.
In my family we have almost always had at least a big family dinner on birthdays, do you have any special things you do on your birthday still or is it just another day? I grew up with it being a super special day and I strive to keep that magic alive for those I care about. I still mail birthday cards and letters for those far away. I get together with friends to celebrate too. As a matter of fact this week I am joining two friends to celebrate my birthday and one other this month. I feel you have to have some days that are special… shouldn’t one of them be the anniversary of your birth?
To all you October birthdays (especially the Libras as they are the best… LOL) I hope you have an extra special day! It is after all the best month of the year!
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – prompt
Late at night, almost 3 am
I step out on the balcony
Looking over the parking lot
Your car is still not there
You said you’re working late
But we both know that’s not true
You have closed down the bar
I fear you are in an accident
Or by the side of the road with the police
This has to stop
And I know in my heart it probably will
With a last breath taken
After another bottle is emptied
And the poison has its way
Written For Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – balcony
Draw me a picture
Of a day in your life
Make me a memory
One without all the strife
I am clinging to you
And the hope that you bring
Find me some peace of mind
Put my dreams on a wing
For my day to day
Is filled now with pain
I leave it to you
Because this stress is a drain
So draw me a picture
Let the future just shine
I need some good feelings
That can become truly mine
Written for Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (FOWC) – draw
Leigha Robbins 