The String That Ties Us Together Poem by Oscar Mireles

The String That Ties Us Together

Rating: 5.0


' Honey, I will go get the string you want....just wait here...I' ll be right back'

as she walked down the hallway at St. Mary's Hospital
the african-american cleaning lady wondered first
'where am I going to find some string...'
and secondly, 'what did Mickey want with some string at work? '
but it didn't matter, she was going to do what
her co-worker requested
everyone like Mickey
and a request,
which rarely came out of her mouth
was always granted

everyone who worked with Micaela at the hospital
was amazed on how well she cleaned the hospital rooms
she was the best cleaning partner to have
because no matter what you did
she would come back over it and make sure it was clean
so was so hardworking that
each day she was looking for new spots to clean
behind the radiator, on the side away from the door,
always searching for some dirt trying to hide
underneath the odd side of the bed

and the cleaning women became more astonished
when they talked with Mickey
and found out she only had a third grade education
but seemed to know alot about alot of things
she especially knew how to read people
and she was so easy to talk to
even though she never said much

when they found out
she had twelve children
and lost one child at birth
they would ask
'how did you raise twelve children?
and you are still such a little thing'
and 'why would you work
after having so many kids
why don't they take care of you? '

but it didn't matter
what they said... she would
continue to work hard
entering each hospital room
with a quiet smile,
trying not to disturb each patient
she would start on the left side
farthest away from the patient
and working her way close
to the bed where the patient
who was trying to sleep
but was just laying there
wondering about why she was laying in a hospital bed
Mickey would say 'hi'
and would it trouble them if she cleaned their bed
and clear the food from the tray table
the patients were always struck
by her gentleness
and would suddenly get up
and try to straighten up the things around
their bed as if their own mother entered the room
and they did not want to bother her
with anything

she would ask them how 'they were doing? '
the patients would open up about their fears
share which members of the family had yet to show up
and detail the pains that they were feeling
an unveil some fears if surgery was imminent

as Mickey left their room
they would smile
thank her for being so nice
and comforting their stay
if only for a few minutes

As she entered the hallway
her co-worker came up
and said' I found the string! '
and followed-up with a question
'what did you want the string for? '

Mickey grabbed the string
asked her co-worker to hold on to it
and start walking away
and as she was walking away
the co-worker asked
'what do I do next? '

and Mickey said
'this string is for you
when we work together next time
and when you decide to leave
and take a break
I can pull on the string
and get you to come back to work
without having to look for you'

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
***** ********* 02 January 2006

A real Florence Cleaning Lady Oscar, I enjoyed this ditty. 9 and Happy New Year from Tai

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