a poem: "wake up and smell the coffee"

At 5 AM in the morning, the city was quiet.

The streets were empty, no soul wandering through the alleyways, no soul greeting the sidewalk at the corner.

Kathy sits typing away at her office desk as she looks toward the clock.

Wondering if her boss would notice she had been there since the night prior.

Joe and Martha lay in bed regretting the night prior.

Hank lets his face fall into his palms as he drunkenly grabs hold of the concrete while getting out of his car.

A long day of work ahead, the even longer fight he had with his wife the night prior.

Bill swiftly glides through the hall of a government building clasping his fist on his briefcase.

He is set to meet with a state representative.

Hopefully he can keep his secret from the night prior.

Rob leans against the crusted and cold brick wall, forever missing his daughter and graveling through his mind the times he spent with her.

He wonders if she missed him too, the night prior.

Malia lights up a cigarette, gazes at the ceiling, and discovers her shift down at the old grill had been changed to the late night shift, again.

She had made a stop at the gas station for five gallons of gas, a carton of milk, cereal, and a box of cigarettes the night prior.

The walls, the trees, the gravel filling of the city gardens.

The buildings, the lights, the asphalt and cement.

The black sneakers slung over the telephone pole.

The parked car, the dinner table, the bedroom, and the bed.

The front door, the back door, and the mouse caught in the trap.

The quilted blanket, dusted with cat fur and lint.

The empty wine bottles, beer cans, and coffee cups.

The objects that stay still and remain, law awake at night to watch the secrets mold, the lies behold, and the arguments unfold.

The observer: the neighborhood watch, the sign at the start of the street; may just be the clock, the dryer sheet, and the shoes on your feet.

This poem was inspired by a painting created by the artist Robert Colescott.

Robert Colescott

“Awakening: Wake up and Smell the Coffee”

1990

Acrylic on Canvas

Photo courtesy of Arthur Roger Gallery