she had on teal pants.

Today
At school,
When we went to the church
For graduation rehearsal,
I saw an old woman
Cleaning a banister.

She had on teal pants
And she was polishing
The brass railing on the altar.
It's just there,
Toward the right side,
By the tabernacle,
Not serving much purpose,
And she was giving it a good rub down.

She was there for a long time,
Making the brass gleam
Like the sun against a new car.
She was so determined,
Her duty to her parish,
Shining the rail.
Squirt with some Windex,
Run a rag over the surface
While a bunch of teenagers
Line up in the aisles
And anxiously wait for the
Second they're let out of this place.
But she takes her time
Because this is
Her responsibiliy,
And she's doing it
As best as she can.

An hour or so later,
I sit on the pavement
Of the school's parking lot
With the other kids who were let
Outside
Because that school is so hot
Inside
And there's nothing better to do.
And an old lady is cleaning the glass
On her front door.
Same lady,
Scouring the glass
So when the light hits it,
You notice it's been washed.
She probably walked across the street
To her church,
To wash
And decided to fix up her home
While she was at it.
Or maybe Monday is her washing day,
And i just haven't
Noticed her before.
Or she's washing to keep her mind off something.
Or she washes when she's happy.
Or she washes when she's upset.
I'm not sure,
I don't know her.

Today,
I saw an old woman
Cleaning a banister.