Snails
By RWS
We’re two working
Men going at our
Own pace
He’s just a
Janitor
We’re both born
In this city and work
At an apartment complex
Housing the affluent
He mops and sweeps the
Marble floors while I greet
Residents who inquire about the
Status of their dry cleaning
Sometimes they complain
That the water is too hot
In the spa
(Burns their
toes)
I’m just a
Desk clerk
I refer those issues
To the appropriate
Departments
The janitor and I are
Required to raise the
American flag in the morning
The flag is tightly
Wrapped into a triangle
That pokes my side as I
Carry it
The janitor walks
Ahead of me
He fastens the flag
Into place and raises it
By pulling a rope
The flag slithers
Up the pole
We look to the ground
Where snails have sprouted
All around like moles
Others would kick or
step on them but
He picks each one
Raises them to the
Kiss of weeping leaves
The snails look
At us and laugh
We head back
To the apartment complex
at a snail's
pace
just a janitor
just a desk clerk
© 2011 RWS