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Just Another Jim

Poetry



Parking Duty

Poem Posted April 27, 2007 by James E. Nelson

This is loosely based on a real incident. Patty Griffin was on Mountain Stage doing an extended set of songs from her latest album, Children Running Through.

And I guess I can't post the poem without giving the album a plug. It's very good, from one of the great contemporary song writers. She's from Maine and her mother was Acadian. The French incluence is very apparent on this album. She is clearly a musical soul mate of the great Cajun writers, who's ancestors left Acadia for Louisiana a couple of generations ago.

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PARKING DUTY

I was listening to Patty Griffin in my car
instead of standing watch for parking duty
as I was told to do.

Important people were soon arriving
and I was saving the best spot,
preventing those who might park
a rusting car in front of church
where important people
would be welcomed with much ado.

But Patty Griffin was singing
through the speakers in my car
songs from children's points of view:
the wonders of life and their sadness
when they see beyond the wonder
to the things we humans do.

And like a child, I neglected duty
for the wonder of her music on the radio.
Instead of standing watch as I was told,
I adjusted my rearview mirror and watched
that no rusted car would stop in front
of church where important people
would be arriving soon.