In the middle
of employed chaos

workers are hurriedly
crisscrossing

relaxed
full-bellied
slow-walkers
so affectionately
deemed "guests"

an important question
inevitably posed
most of the time

is poorly inquired
some of the time

and to break
the hectic monotony

two responses
automatically fire
yet only one is spoken.

With ten plates
cleared
dangling
from elbow to fingertip

the question is posed:
"Do you know
where the bathroom is?"

Current employment
may not assume the knowledge

but that question begs
to be put out of its misery
with a calm "Yes"
and a quick exit

relaxed
full-bellied
slow-walkers
with full bladders

are frozen in time
pondering their own riddle

or perhaps now
pick up the pace
and ask the proper question
to another

and within learning
the needed answer
they can take
self-assured steps to reward

by giving of themselves
perhaps
living a little easier now

but unfortunately
the answer seldom stops
with a simple "Yes"

and directions are awarded
to those
with ill-founded language

while workers continue
assisting and feeding
the people
who keep
the government running.

10/10/2008

Posted on 10/10/2008
Copyright © 2026 Jeffrey Parren