Work that Has Meaning

There is this poem by Marge Piercy . . .
it has this one part that goes . ..

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

It may sound lame, but I wish I had work that was real .. . that had some kind of meaning. People say teaching is a giving profession, but giving to whom? I mean I know it's supposed to be to children and all, but I wish I could give to adults, or help them too. Moving to Montclair, although people may think it's stuck up, i've met a multitude of people from various cultures and backgrounds. It makes me sad to see the older, obviously unemployed white man who is in AA and goes to Starbucks and drinks overpriced water and stares out the window longingly as if expecting something great to happen . . .
cause I don't know know if it is going to

I see the guy to my right on his laptop talking to women on a dating site, the pictures pop up and he responds, I think he's talking to two girls right now. I feel for him. I know what it's like to have that part of your life so unsure.

There's this guy who just gave me a big doofy smile. He's kind of cute. But I'm really so full of love for Pierre, it's really ridiculous. I've never, in my entire life, ever even thought it could be possible, that i'd find someone so wonderful, handsome, smart and just amazing. I feel like I say it all the time but I am so lucky. What did I ever do to deserve him?
I messed up a whole lot. I still do. But, God, do I love him . . .he makes my heart happy.

So I'm lucky. That is an odd thing to say. But I am, all of this unexpected joy, stuff I used to sing about in shows, has finally come to my life. Sometimes I feel like singing.

Other times I feel like hugging, I"ll have to wait til later, and give him a big one!!!!

As for people around here I am sad sometimes, but at the same time, I think there is hope. A little strawberry blonde boy just passed me by in the window, rollerblading wearing a shirt that says "Bullyproof". I love it! Good for him!


Maybe there is hope in the world.
For all of us.
the kids and adults
the single and connected
i guess we all are . . .connected
and for this i am very grateful
and so i keep on hoping
after all it is . . .
my middle name