this mediator
formed
by the conversations of
his comrades and enemies
his parents and peers
filled with the history of
his people and pastor
his lovers and teachers
his wins and his losses
would his friends and kin
take the time
to notice me
take the risk
to be seen with me
spend a portion of
their wealth or
their care
their energy
on me

What passions prowl
what fondness
what fears
what sense
what meaning
what value
lurk behind
his calm demeanor
what men
what women
hide
or huddle
underneath his skin
and he says…
he’s neutral

gagging and choking
I pull from my gut
the long worm
of hurt and anger
putrid and
strangled
by the constrictions
of this battle
of her ego and mine

and this mediator
sits
Impassive
his calm
is it
serenity
or sham
is he as scared
of this conflict
as I

but still…

he listens
unperturbed by her protestations
unimpressed with the
fancy clothing
and dulcet sounds
of her argument

she’s kidnapped
my time
and here I am
paying her ransom
paying his fee
paying
my time
my pain

will he earn
and
will I pay
the coin
of my trust

The poem is an attempt to describe the reactions and sentiments of a party in a mediation. Mediation is an emerging profession in North America in which the mediator assists two or more persons with a dispute to communicate and to reach an understanding, agreement, or reconciliation.

02/06/2002

Posted on 02/06/2002
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