A Symphony of Circumstance
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set...
A child runs across the pavement
falls and scrapes his knee.
He cries
and cries,
outcomes his mother
fussing about, hugging her baby to her chest,
saying
“I’m sorry”
she kisses him gently on the forehead
the child's energy
wearing out
quickly
.
a high school senior
wades through the crowded school halls
trying to get through
the rushed chaos
when she accidentally knocks a juniors books out of her hands
the senior calls out a rushed
“I’m sorry”
behind her
she forgets the Junior
leaving her behind
to be on time
for practice
in her pursuit
of happiness
.
a father stands
at the foot of his daughter's casket
blurred vision as his child's mother approaches
her new man in tow
the parents embrace, sharing cries of grief
Mr. New Guy, aware of the awkwardness
mumbles
"I'm sorry"
to them both
not sure where to look
when he sees he isn't heard
.
a sleep-deprived cashier is ringing up a woman’s groceries
the cashier’s eyes are sallow
the woman trying to count out
crumbled dollar bills
she is a few dollars short
and looks up at the cashier, wishing for a blessing, turning first behind her
saying
“I’m sorry”
to the Mother waiting with a screaming child next in line
the mother tapping her feet in annoyance
the baby screams incessantly
the cashier’s eyes sank lower
once more
.
a teacher faces her student
the test grade in hand
the student's eyes hopeful
that he finally got the grade
he’d tried harder than even the other kids to earn,
that he finally got the grade he deserved
the teacher flips over the paper
to show the failing grade
the kid’s eyes hope drops lower than the number on the test,
the math teacher says
“I’m sorry”
to the sad kid,
he swallows down his frustration
he tries not to let it show
knowing he's failing that, too
.
A mother is asking her teenage son what he wants for dinner,
he says “McDonald's”
she says she forgot to get gas,
Saying
“I’m sorry”
to her son
she opens the fridge
Grabbing some cold cuts and juice
.
A customer goes to get shoes from the store
tries to ask if they have her size
not understanding the employee
Whose English is too advanced
for the customer looking for shoes
because they are very much needed
she keeps shaking her head in confusion,
saying to the employee
“I’m sorry”
The One phrase of English
That everyone needs to know
.
A woman sneezes in public
the other customers look over in fear at the woman,
the mask she was wearing did nothing to alleviate the disgusted looks she gets
for sneezing during a pandemic-how dare she?
the woman mumbles
“I’m sorry”
before hurrying away from everyone
to sneeze again
this time, hopefully, In private
.
a woman goes to the gym
forgetting she had plans
when reminded, she quickly texts back
“I’m sorry”
she drinks some water before getting ready to leave to meet her friends
who text they were already running late, too.
.
A husband is waiting at the altar, suit pressed
people waiting
the bride is late
the husband rushes to check his phone
the words
"I'm Sorry"
from her in text
flash on the screen
the light reflecting the pain
in his eyes
.
a default answer
no matter where or how and when
we sing
"I'm sorry"
In a Symphony
of Circumstance
we play
In a Symphony
of
Circumstance
we play