There’s A Crisis Alright
He didn’t talk, this child of mine
His sound was “ga”
Expressively and explosively pronounced
In a rainbow of emotions.
We were placed on a waiting list
A very British affair
As staffing shortages turned the queue
Into an interminable wait.
Eventually we reached a milestone
Waited for, counted down to,
Counters stacked and sorted
With his sly, sidelong smile.
Seventeen miles later
We were pushed back to the back of the queue
The bottom of the pool
To wait, to steep.
We waited, and waited,
And waited.
Until at last our turn came.
The second time things were no better.
About the Author: Joel’s poetry has appeared in oddball magazine, Little Old Lady Comedy, Radon Journal, 5-7-5 Journal, Epistemic Literary, and Pulp Lit Mag. His chapbook “Untimely Verses: 2024 in review” will be available on Amazon from January 1st.
Image Credit: Jozef Chelmonski “Sunset in winter” (1901) Public domain image courtesy of Artvee
As It Ought To Be 