Withholding Judgment
(from the other side of the counter)
Withholding Judgment The shopkeeper watches The people come and go Picking through her wares Picking them up, turning them around, And setting them down, Making a judgment As they do. The shopkeep watches them walk away Wondering if her wares Need to be moved To the other wall. Her feet hurt— She looks at her watch It’s early— “It’s only the beginning of the day,” She tells herself, “Don’t take it to heart.” She sits back down, Waits— Her hands returning to Work. She holds her breath Sighs— Reminds herself She knows how to wait Till the end of the day— Till the end of the day… Elizabeth Spring