I scramble through the weaving wheels,
and wheeling limbs, colliding only with oncoming eyes,
though grazing the fine teal, satin clutch passing recklessly on my left
with no turn signal,
and the course, brown, hemp sack sagging behind
through rows and rows of foot-traffic.
My fingers scratch at the faltering wind with each stride,
peeling back, subconsciously, the tribal paintings
of socio-economic hierarchical value onto
faces, blazers, eyewear, shoelaces, handbags,
and offspring.
The man slipping a twenty to the cab-driver
begs for discretion through demanding, almond eyes;
the brunette nanny twittering about a list while scrutinizing
three red-headed rapscallions is underpaid—but, desperate;
the Starbucks barista contains far more coffee-inspired
concoctions in the three spare filing cabinets of his mind
than any breathing form should fathom, much less capacitate;
the woman in red loves her children.
Sipping black coffee in sneakers
behind the plexy glass and neon signs,
nothing appears so surreal to me
as life viewed on the cement assembly line,
where Prada labels melt next to the designs
of Monday morning on Main Street.
Author notes
Option 1: Monday Morning
A contest entry
- Are you a sidewalk poet? by seven.
1221 points, ended October 15, 2008, 12 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Monday Morning by new born.
700 points, ended February 26, 23 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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I really like this. It's creative with fantastic imagery and wording. The ending stanza is wonderful, and I love the line about the man handing the cabby a twenty. I've never been to New York, but I think this portrays the hubbub of monday morning very well. Great job and good luck!
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Great Write!
This poem moves at a fast pace and I love your word choice, the vivid images & detail you bring to the poem.
of that trophy! 
Great title, flow & content. You had me quite engaged! 
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Ah, thank you... on all fronts!!
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I just wanted to pop back in and let you know how much I loved this. To be honest, if I could have gave 2 gold trophies, I would have.
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Thank you! It's a kind notion, but I don't mind being trumped by a worthy opponent. I too, in fact, was swept up into Kathleen a Nazarene's tale. Excellent contest, though. It got my creative juices flowing down a fresh avenue.
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I loved this one. Ya asked me to help judge, this is a definite thumbs up. three of those clappy smileys and a shot of penicilin.
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Sipping black coffee in sneakers
behind the plexy glass and neon signs,
nothing seems so surreal to me
as life as viewed on the cement assembly line,
where Prada labels melt at the designs
of Monday morning on Main Street.
this is a great ending. Cement assembly line is some great figurative language.
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