In the Hotel Lobby, 11:58 A.M. to Noon
In the pursuit of
in the underlying light of
something that swings over
oppressing us
in the wake of endless light
I breathe the burden in
it falls like snow
a German couple in the corner
speaks of whose turn it is
to talk if there is anything
they could believe it’s a little
scary he says and she
says it’s nothing I can talk
about Is she depressed
the woman says in English
I don’t know the man replies
snow that was locked inside me
starts falling hastily without
windows blank out completely
the man and woman talk
in shadow in the singed
white light could be
in an airport waiting for
the last flight out or looking
straight ahead invisible
when they get up I feel
a shadow in myself
has lifted only two white
windows two tan leather-
backed chairs the radiator’s
hundred sets of eyes
facing forward human-sized
lamp leaning slightly
to the side the pace of life
has slowed and started
to look at itself a small
boy is running to the window
with his brother climbing
up on the left-hand chair onto
the window whole body
facing glass exclaiming snow
Let’s go his father says
pulling him backwards they
leave the two white
windows open again one
second later saying nothing
I get up and go
—Rebecca Givens Rolland, Boston, MA
