November 6: "What She Said," Give Me a Break, Scrolling

It has been a difficult day.  I've cried quite a bit.  Spent most of my time holed up in my library office, avoiding people.  I really was in no frame of mind to socialize or converse with anyone.  

Billy Collins overhears a conversation . . .

What She Said

by: Billy Collins

When he told me he expected me to pay for dinner,
I was like give me a break.

I was not the exact equivalent of give me a break.
I was just similar to give me a break.

As I said, I was like give me a break.

I would love to tell you
how I was able to resemble give me a break
without actually being identical to give me a break,

but all I can say is that I sensed
a similarity between me and give me a break.

And that was close enough
at that point in the evening

even if it meant I would fall short
of standing up from the table and screaming
give me a break,

for God's sake will you please give me a break?!

No, for that moment
with the rain streaking the restaurant windows
and the waiter approaching,

I felt the most I could be was like

to a certain degree

give me a break.

I've been scrolling through Facebook posts that are trying to encourage readers not to give up hope.  To be kind, even with individuals who hold differing opinions than mine.  To mobilize for the resistance.

At the moment, I can't get there.  I went for a long walk this afternoon.  My route took my by a nearby playground that was packed with parents and their small children.  The kids were screaming and laughing and swinging and sliding.  I couldn't help think how this nation I call home has just betrayed its youth last night.  The world they are going to inherit--if there is a world left to inherit--is going to be filled with hate and climate change and corrupt Supreme Court justices.

In the coming days, I will try to be kinder, nicer, but tonight, I can't.  I'm sad and angry and disappointed.

If somebody says "You need to remain positive" to Saint Marty, he's going to respond, "Give me a break."