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Open Poetry #36
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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2005-08-30 09:14 PM


Mr. White works in accounting. At his desk,
he sorts and stacks a rainbow-assortment
of perpetually late bills.

He’s not the type one would seek out;
even his nasally phone voice is mildly grating.
In person, he’s paunchy, balding, bland.
Born old.

His cubby walls are littered with certificates.
Not the usual college credentials,
but merits –
for blood donations.

On the credenza stands a glass teardrop
filled with crimson liquid
and a tiny plaque that reads:
100 Pint Club!

If one were to ask (and how could one not?),
Mr. White would quietly explain
this is his “thing.”

Admirable, if truly altruistic,
but the impression leans toward obsession –
giving a precious gift,
gloved hands softly touching his arm,
an attendant with one eye on the patient,
the other on swelling purplish bags
that rest on scales
with maximum fill-lines penned in red.

I should say that Mr. White was in accounting,
as it’s been noticed, just recently,
he doesn’t come to work anymore.

Rumor has it, he fainted
dead away.

© Copyright 2005 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Gentle Spirit
Member Patricius
since 2000-10-09
Posts 13989

1 posted 2005-08-31 09:12 AM


Very well done Corinne, excellently written.
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
2 posted 2005-08-31 09:55 AM


Corinne
There is such a thing as too much. LOL
Enjoyed

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
3 posted 2005-08-31 09:59 AM


Thanks Gentle Spirit and Sey.

Yep, he was too much! and heh, yep, this is probably too much, but that's what made it fun to write.

There are some very interesting characters out there in the world.


Corinne

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

4 posted 2005-08-31 11:14 AM


this was great, and ditto all the above...
Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
5 posted 2005-08-31 11:58 AM


Corinne~
I thought this a very good character penning~
I would like your Mr. White ... for I am also a dedicated blood donor~
I have one of the rarer blood types ... and for me, it became an obligation to give ... only problem is that on most times that the Central Florida Blood Bank is around for taking donations ... they ALWAYS make me step on the scales ... and more often than not, I don't meet the weight requirements~
*sigh* ... but, I keep trying ... and I'm reaching a goal of donating that I didn't think was possible for me~

I like to think that somewhere, someone is donating on those days I don't meet the weigh-in~

And what a great reminder in these days of the Katrina catastrophe for all of us to make the time to donate for those who made need it~

What a great character write, gal~
Good to see you too, sweets~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost,
the spirit rejoices over what it has left.
- Sufi epigram <))><

Email noles1@totcon.com

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2005-08-31 01:36 PM



Mr. White's probably passed out...as you say...

where's the OJ?

Timely write, m'friend...

it's always good to see your name,
your face, your soul in write...

more, please.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2005-08-31 01:45 PM


Very well done, Corinne!!  
Bodger
Senior Member
since 2005-06-12
Posts 1260
Tolerance for a short time
8 posted 2005-08-31 06:18 PM


Brilliant but a bean counter counts beans

Never full of beans

But everyone has a place and "I dont believe it";  everyone in their place

I just got sacked for getting a knee infection and MD certificate for 4 days.

I was told that 4 days sickness in 2 months was unacceptable - I am not joking;  even though complete with full Doctor's stuff and that it probably came from wire mess placed underneath the desk to hold the CPUs.

In my exit letter - I will make it a poem

Good words - gave me heart

Bodger

Startime55
Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148
Alberta, Canada
9 posted 2005-08-31 06:23 PM


LOL...Oh my the vision of this made me laugh...well done...*big hugs*

Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
10 posted 2005-08-31 06:54 PM


Bodger, what country do you live in? Some (including the U.S.) has a family leave law act to prevent such a thing from happening. At any rate, you have my sympathies.

Marge, you are a good, good soul! I used to donate regularly, but I started having problems with light headedness and a general dingyness that lastest at least 24 hours afterwards. It got so my co-workers would beg me not to donate (we had blood drives at work). But now I've got a medical condition that would probably eliminate me even if donating didn't make me act stupid (heh, or stupid-er as the case may be).


Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
11 posted 2005-08-31 06:56 PM


Lee, Martie, Startime, thank you!

Karilea,

heh, I guess in my own odd way, it is a reminder to donate! haha, perhaps this is what had me thinking of this coworker. I was wondering why I had to write this now. He didn't actually disappear but eventually got fired.


Corinne

Aenimal
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350
the ass-end of space
12 posted 2005-11-23 11:39 AM


the images you paint, take up the brush more often would you?
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