Faith In The Waiting Room
She’s doing the Rosary again. Sat next to me.
Steady beads click gentle through her hands.
I grew up with The X Files – “I want to believe.”
False stigmata sweat breaks out on my palms.
The automatic doors grumble like toothache.
Silent words grind my sinuses with antiseptic.
She whispers her God doesn’t make mistakes.
Ghost-shrouded trolleys levitate on disinfectant,
disappear past more doors, the blank space
where you are: where we’re not allowed to go.
I grip the plastic chair, need escape, a place
to scream obscenities. She says she knows
you will be ok, faith-sure. My tongue is all fear.
Steady beads click on gently, a pulse, a beat.
I grew up with The X Files – “I want to believe.”
Draw my breaths in her rhythm. In, out, repeat.
This is a character poem – my own beliefs, whatever they may or may not be, are not up for discussion here as these things are very private. However, I respect that everyone makes their own choices which work for them as individuals. We all take our own path. Anyway, here is a song that seems fitting for this particular poem and which I am very fond of…
Spot on Holly so true. xxxxxx
Thanks Willow.
“trolleys levitate on disinfectant” – where do you get these phrases from, Holly. So wonderful. Is it okay to ask questions here? If so
• Question re: creative process: Were you in a waiting room when this idea came to you?
• Comprehension question: Who’s the “you” in the first line of the last stanza?
Hi Roland – thanks for reading. As to your questions….
No, I wasn’t in a waiting room when I had the idea, but I’ve been in many and know a lot of people who have also. I don’t often write directly from my own experience, but tend to draw indirectly from memory and listening to the experiences of others, mostly in an abstract way.
The “you” is the person who is the reason for the waiting – think of the narrator and the woman with the rosary waiting for news of a loved one in a hospital waiting area. Hope that makes sense.
As one who has spent so much time in the abyss of the waiting room, you hit that one out of the park. As for belief or faith, you got that right too. It is not for this arena. Once again, well done!
Yes, I didn’t want to spark off some kind of religious debate – feelings run high in such matters and I’m not qualified for it! You’re right in that you call the waiting room “the abyss” Lea – such terrifying places.
I very much like the contrasts between the waiting room and religious beliefs ~ an extraordinary offering
Thanks Polly – did you notice I’ve gone all “rhyme-y” here?
Nice end rhymes and internal ~ good stuff Ms Holly
Adventures in form…!
A poem with drama. And I admire the long, and full lines (they are becoming a rarity).
Hi Harry – thanks for reading and your comments. I like a long line I confess. Though occasionally a short line can have impact. It’s a difficult balance isn’t it!
Holly, you have captured totally the felings experienced in a bospital waiting room!
We have all been in them and I can relate so much from a subjective and objective view.
I honestly dont know how you o it; you have great talent and you already know you are my favourite poet here on WP
Christine
Hi Christine. I’m glad this rang true but sorry you had those experiences, if you see what I mean. x