The Line - Michael S. Walker
poem read by Allison Riechman-Bennett
The Line
Michael S. Walker
A lady fell today
In front of me
Waiting in line for a movie
And she was old
VERY old
And frail
And her family rushed
To help her back up
Braced her
They all touched her
Concern
Almost leaching
Through their fingertips
Are you alright, Ma?
She nodded, weakly
Her breathing labored
I wanted to help too
But what could I do?
But hope
Standing meekly in line
Waiting for the same
Damn
Stupid movie…
The very crowd itself
Seemed to
Move more slowly now
In deference to her
In deference
To
All
Of us.
Michael Walker is a writer living in Newark, Ohio. He is the author of two published novels: 7-22 and The
Vampire Henry. He has also seen his stories and poems published in various magazines, including Sky Island
Journal, PIF. and The Adelaide Literary Review.
