The Dull Woman Gives Peace a Chance
He is arson
I am ocean
We ride the same apartment elevator
He flames commie libs and pushy dames
The floors dawdle past like window-shopping slugs
My waves thirst to tsunami his rant
I flood my mind with oms instead
For days I go out of my way to avoid him
But fate savors its practical jokes
The next time I douse his spark before he ignites
Happy Donut Day, I gush sweetly
He gawks as if I have boogied naked through a church
What kind of donut do you like? I ask the silence
Don’t eat them, he spits
But I can see the glazed circles smoldering in his eyes
The next time I am ready
Happy National Forklift Safety Day
His eyes fume at the floor unsure if I am joking
Hard shuffles one foot over some unseen smudge
Happy National Bourbon Day
He drags a rough hand across his mouth
I imagine him getting home from work
Uncapping a thirsty bottle
The calendar now an alibi
Yahoo has proclaimed every sun circle a celebration
And I, pushy dame that I am, push
Happy National Corn on the Cob Day
Happy National Stick Out Your Tongue Day
Happy National Take Your Pants for a Walk Day
He guffaws at that one
Catches himself and translates it into a rough cough
Still wary, he says, Good one
We have forged a precarious foot path
Laden with shardy missiles, blazing coals, potholes the size of Ganymede
But for now, for a short span of floors
We share this world, this elevator, this primordial wink
17 thoughts on "The Dull Woman Gives Peace a Chance"
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So entertaining to read! I love this! Forging precarious foot paths is what it’s all about.
I love this – you have done with humor and courage what is so desperately needed every day of the year!
Love the very idea of this one!
“We have forged a precarious foot path
Laden with shardy missiles, blazing coals, potholes the size of Ganymede”
This a much better version of “kill him with kindness.” I want to do some research and come up with a long list of quirky names. I will use them in similar awkward situations. This a very poem!
Sylvia, what a delight this poem was. So many masterful lines, and you’ve been able to create an intriguing narrative I want to know more about. And that last line!
A positive rebellion that worked. And I can see your smile as you greet him with the daily “Happy ____________Day.” I love the flow of this and how you take us on your elevator adventure, traveling down ten floors.
The calendar now an alibi
Love it! This poem is delightful, the title is apt. Lordy, the part about the donuts. ROFL Awesome! Every single word “earns its keep” in this poem. Excellent craft. And such a strong conclusion.
We share this world, this elevator, this primordial wink
Delightful tit for tat, which ends with a meeting in the middle, sort of. You fixed his wagon, then got in with him.
I adore this! We need more people forging precarious footpaths!
Laughing and loving this! Brilliant thinking and execution in poem and reality!
Love your statements and internal asides: “Happy Donut Day, I gush sweetly/He gawks as if I have boogied naked through a church”
Favorite of all: Happy National Take Your Pants for a Walk Day
Stunning: “We share this world, this elevator, this primordial wink”
I’m in awe of this storyteller’s ability to render of her characters, not to mention the deftness/craftiness of the “Dull Woman.” Also, Sylvia, for me an elevator ride will never be quite as dull again
Great storytelling and way to handle this guy with his rough edges!
Laughed all the way through!
waves thirst to tsunami his rant
gawks as if i have boogied naked through a church
This poem has such a generous energy and message, and I was arrested from the parity in “He is arson/I am ocean.” Keep being ocean!
Flows! Richly rhythmic storytelling and a tour de force when read out loud. Love the repetition of various Happy Days. Great write, Sylvia
Smiled all the way through this. Loved: “But I can see the glazed circles smoldering in his eyes “
Enjoyed it very much, Sylvia.