Don’t Look Over There
they want you to look
there
where the distraction is
building— just
walk away
to the other side
where the red velvet curtains
heavy and dust-filled
hang
pull on the silver ropes
open the drapes
look
and see
there
what they don’t want
you to see
the children—hungry
the mothers—ill
the fathers are forlorn
you thought it was sunny
but this is simply the rain
falling
and the black clouds gathering
look
see the children wade
in the muddy puddles
their shoes overflowing
water streaming over
shoe laces
see the mothers
gray clouds are mirrored
in their eyes
see the fathers
rise
to look at you
looking at them
wait while the mist
parts
wait— and the spectacle
dims and fades
wait
look
and see
Pamela Olson, 9/1/08
Inspired by One Single Impression
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