Running Showers on Tuesday
by Kimberly Gavin
“Yeah, today is a sock drop,
Gotta wait until 4:30, though
Give us time to set-up
And pray
I’ll check clothes
But ya gotta remember
It’s all donations
No guarantees
But I’ll see what I can find.”
“Welcome, welcome,
Glad you stopped by today
Mr. H, you are first up
10 minutes, with a 2-minute warning…
You know the drill.
Towel washcloth - wait -
The laundry’s not done yet
No washcloths yet.
Sorry about the small soap,
Gets caught in the crevices, I know.
Water is always hot!
If you need extra beauty time,
I’ll keep the bathroom
Open for you
“You hear about D?”
“Yeah, yeah, what a shame.”
“He had a problem, you know.”
“Police found the body…
no one, no word on the street
‘bout what happenned.”
“Isn’t that what happened to L?”
“Nah, she was trickin’
Got her throat slashed
Never caught him.”
“That’s a shame - her baby’s
in school now?”
“Yeah, just started 1st grade.
Here’s his school picture.
Such a cutie.”
“Como estas?
Bien.
Habla Espanol?
Un piquito
“Necesito una hoja de afeitar y jabon.”
“Que?”
Miming shaving.
“Si, we have that.”
Razors and soap change hands.
“This is what we have today,
not much, huh?
Yeah we are hurtin’,
Nobody cares for givin’ anymore.
But look, I have soap.
I know, I know, gets caught in crevices.”
“I can help you with the phone.
We can’t do long distance,
But 215 goes right out.
Awwwww, sweeties that’s fine,
but I’m married already
you know, to God
like a nun without the habit
Vitamins and aspirin?
Sign in at the round table.
Right, here, hun.
I got chapsticks,
Who needs one?
“Look at this big bag of clothes!
It’s like Christmas in July.
What’d ya need?
I got smalls, mediums and…
Ooohh! One triple X purple tee.
Now, I know you can pull of this purple,
In a manly way.
No, ok, I’m sure it will find a home.”
Darlin; you are pretty young thing
But you gotta put clothes on
-we got kids here.
Sweetie, move on into the bathroom
Thank you! Here’s the foot foot powder.
“Razors-razors, sorry hun,
Just gave out the last one
Try again tomorrow at 9:30.
Sorry, baby, we don’t have deodorant.
We don’t often get that in.”
What is that???
Awwwww-5 day old wet socks in the
basket!
Let me clean that up for you.
Sometimes sharin’ ain’t carin’
We’re tryin’ for a spa atmosphere,
You know.
The nassuess is outta town today
And the unmarked 100’s are on on backorder.”
Laughter all ‘round.
“Ok, sir, how can I help you?”
Lowered voice, calm energy,
Thinking peace.
“Please sir, come over here, I can help.
It’s ok.
I totally respect you, but
this is a place of peace.
We do not speak words of violence here.
Can I get you some toiletries?
What is your story,
Tell me, I am listening.”
“Oh wait, I have an opening
in the shower list
We have the best showers ‘round,
hot water all time.
Look a towel straight out of the dryer.
Nice and warm,
just like spa.”
C’s deep laughter
Singing R&B from my past
“I’d guess you’d say-
what can make me feel this way?...
Singing together
Laughing to the end,
Warm embrace
Today is a good day for him.
Remembering my fear,
My first revulsion.
“Now I can’t do that!
I work with kids!
It’s the MERSA, you know.”
So funny, all these years have past, now.
Hanging out for the warmth or coolness,
Or companionship.
“All welcome in peace, sweetie.
This is the Worker
How can I help you today?”
Kimberly Gavin is an art teacher at Cramp Elementary School. Kimberly joined the Philadelphia Writing Project in 2014 after attending the Invitational Summer Institute.