poem: rachel bloodworth

Of Time and Attention

The thought dipped (Gen Z coworker slang: left).
It arrived like yesterday’s thought, at work
between grinding coffee and unwrapping
sandwiches to heat for harried patrons.

No time to grab a warming bag and pen,
so I assured myself, this thought will stay.
It’s provocative and insistent and
determined to become known by you too.

Tonight with paper and pencil ready
eagerly I tell the thought, let’s begin.
My hand waits but only crickets answer.
Come back, I beg, right now belongs to you.

Ideas choose me. Obligations
steal them, asking a ransom I can’t pay.

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about the writer: rachel bloodworth

When Rachel isn’t making coffee at a coffee shop, she’s designing webpages or ads for freelance clients, and helping her autistic son transition from teen to adult. She uses her free time for creative pursuits. You can see some of her sketches and paintings at https://www.instagram.com/rachelebloodworthart/.