humanity
The White-Collar Who Trips Before Me
The class system in society gets real in front of us sometimes.
my work requires me to move my bones,
my muscles, and my spirit enormously
until the only essence that’s left is
hearing how my breath whispers
gratitude to the Source for still keeping
me alive and gifting me the power
to feel, write, and heal.
Breathe.
yes, they see me, they feel me,
some say hello, some walk past me,
others pretend I don’t exist,
others pause for a little
heartwarming exchange.
Breathe.
in between runs, I do my tasks in the lobby;
it’s a routine, it’s sincere, I give it my all,
I’m attached to it, it’s soulful in a way
as I get to think and examine the rush
around me–
the atmosphere, the chatters, all the
superficial corporate games, humans
being humans in the midst of survival.
Breathe.
one of those tasks is the escalator;
I would politely instruct the incoming
traffic to go right ahead first, but if
they’re still far back, I get on with
my job… some exchange lunch updates,
some whine about work and their mates,
others wear their faces long, and there
are those who seem lost.
Breathe.
but they know I’m there, minding my
own business quietly… giving them their
own space, giving them their way,
giving them their time… there’s mutual
respect, though tension is thrown at me
sometimes and perhaps even discomfort;
“This is supposed to be a place for people
of intellect, for those who actually run and
shape the world, for power and authority.
We cannot stand seeing you around here.
Go away!”–is what I would hear time
and time again–at least it’s what my
instincts would hear on some odd
occasions.
Breathe.
what I hear from his mind,
“Oh no! No no no no! You can’t treat
me like that! I’m way much better
in life than you are! You’re old, Asian,
a woman, with a job that you’re only
qualified for because you’re dumb!
Get out of my way! Get away!
Get away!”
Breathe.
so he sprints up the escalator,
wheezing–
Breathe.
–trips on his way up that his dignity
crumbles right before me.
Breathe.
And I stay calm.
So calm.
Unbelievably calm.
Regardless of what I see and hear;
I’m as calm as the quiet lake,
the sleeping owl,
the kindest forest.
Wild.
Breathe.