A Poem a Day: a Series – Day 154

Day 154: “It’s Nice to Have a Friend”

The other night, my phone was dangerously low

You know, what I rely on for directions and communication with my loved ones

So I went in search of an outlet

Did I mention it was late?

After a Broadway show

So I went where everyone goes to look for an outlet

Rockefeller Center

I also had this perfect daydream where I’d walk by

And they’d say they need someone to fill a seat in the audience at SNL

And I’d say, “Sure, I don’t have anything else going on.”

You know, trying to play it cool

Well shockingly that didn’t happen

But I also couldn’t find an outlet

So I approached a worker

And asked if there was a place I could charge my phone

After a few awkward moments twiddling my thumbs

What else are you supposed to do when you don’t have your phone?

I started asking the worker questions

Learned about his life

He said he’s worked at Rockefeller Center in one capacity or another for 25 years

He said he likes the area and came to NYC in the 1980s

He said he’s never seen a Broadway show

After some time,

I asked for my phone back

Said it was great to meet him

Told him my name

I asked for his

And I said maybe I’d see him later this week when I’m back to attend some talk shows

He said that’d be wonderful

I walked away proud

Proud to have pushed my shyness to the side

To have started a convo

To have made a friend

In my family we call them TPPFs

Temporary public place friends

I make them mostly when I’m traveling

It was a fun moment of connection

Who knows, maybe I’ll see my TPPF again

A Poem a Day: a Series – Day 152

Day 152: “Travel Ritual”

Why is it

That every time I go out of town

I fall apart before

I have to get everything done

And somehow I left everything for the last minute

As I’m writing this

I need to do the dishes

Put my clothes away

And pack

But I think I’ll just watch Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with my boyfriend

I can sleep on the bus