Waiting Rooms
~by Carl Josehart

hushed
tense

nervous
energy
undirected fury, worry and hope
densely populated
each alone
tentative connection
aberrant
superstitious behavior
produced through stress
like dolphins in a tank
conditioned to unnatural responses and behaviors

trained
to wait
please, thank you
good-will points
thought to influence an outcome
beyond control
meaning lost
hope yet to be found
workaday busywork
trying to maintain images of power
a sense of control

in other arenas
conspirators to leaders
following better than behaving
we are not led
no organizing force
to order
protect
defend
reparation promised
satisfaction denied

waiting rooms
no room for
what comes after

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