Another Day

A mother races her minivan across town

            dropping one off, picking one up

waiting patiently, juggling schedules

Another day

A lost soul bends over the table,

            puts down the blade and sniffs deeply

and a curtain falls on reality

Another day

A salesman flops down on the cheap hotel bed

            and reaches for the mini-bar bottle

to dull the boredom and despair

Another day

A woman cries out, bearing down

            as new life emerges

amidst hugs and cheers, kisses and tears

Another day

An inmate returns to his cell

            steel bars slide closed

his sigh muffled by shouts, cursing

Another day

A doctor grabs her coffee and a chart

            begins a new shift

tired before it even starts

Another day

An elderly woman leaves the bus

            groceries in hand

and heads to her apartment for a solitary evening

Another day

A couple meet up at a pub

            to eat, to talk, to laugh

comfortable, content, reunited

Another day

A woman slams up against a door

            ears ringing, fear paralyzing her

as her husband, arm raised, approaches again

Another day

A firefighter sits down to a warm dinner

            hoping he’ll have time to finish

just once…

Another day

A teen rushes in, dropping backpack and coat

            to change, shout a quick goodbye

and head to work

Another day

A lover slips the ring on his partner’s finger

            a simple question asked

a commitment made

Another day

A beloved father breathes his last

            surrounded by those who love him best

grief and sorrow settle in

Another day

A teacher unlocks her front door

             grateful to be home

an night of grading awaits

Another day

A runner finishes her first lap

            as others join her, strolling, biking, sitting

dusk bathing them in warmth

Another day

A young father tucks the covers around his child

            fingers brushing his son’s curls

a whispered goodnight, a tender kiss

Another day