WHILE WORKING IN THE SOCK DEPARTMENT OF A MAJOR CHAIN STORE 

Recently, I’ve noticed  
many people passing over
those socks with the polka dots 
and choosing the ones 
with that plaid design
instead.

I view this trend 
not as a mere fad
but as a message 
from the human psyche:

I believe
that plaid represents
work those folk are doing 
on an inner level--

bringing opposing forces together--
   joining left with right
   and up with down--
to create a stable structure.

Seeing the strength that results
from their labor
more will then dedicate themselves 
to this job of creating a union within.
They too
will realize their inner plaidness.

And when they do
their actions will reveal
a deeper human truth.

Maybe you’ll scoff at my belief
but consider how it helps me:

now when I see
someone choosing
a plaid pair of socks
my hope for the human race lifts 

and I become
even more determined
to unify all my parts
and rid myself 
of this weak feeling--
this feeling of being 
just odd assortment of dots.

When I’m more together
I can join with those others--
I want to be part
of that grand plaid design.

While Working in the Sock Department of a Major Chain Store

Recorded on September 18, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Heather Christle: "Mistake"

Recorded on October 23, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Howard Altmann: "After Hours"

Recorded on October 25, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Deborah Landau: from "Soft Targets"

Recorded on December 15, 2017, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Megan Levad: "Foundling"

Recorded on April 13, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

James Richardson: "Essay on the One Hand and on the Other"

Recorded on July 19, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

Erika Meitner: "A Brief Ontological Investigation"

Recorded on July 26, 2018, for Poem-a-Day, a series produced by the Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org

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she shuffles her feet : written and read by @megwaf for #WhisperingNeds 151

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Bury me where... written by Chris : read by @megwaf  for #ReadMeSpeakMe No.99

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I claim to be a novelist, poet, essayist, cartoonist, graphic artist, peace monger--and I'm trying to be a world citizen. As for my backstory...let's just say I've lived and worked all over the United States.  I'm self-taught, for the most part, which is like stumbling around blindfolded while looking for the right door.  It's an on-going process. Lacking any true musical ability, I try to make music with language, while also making meaning.  

While Working in the Sock Department of a Major Chain Store

mythsteps

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