It's 8:30 AM
The county courthouse
In a city I desperately avoid
Is the last place I want to be
Clearly
No one else wants to be here either
But it is our "civic duty"
To convene and wait to be chosen
Or not
I don't want to be chosen
I don't wish to be one of the aliens
Lucky enough to be chosen by the claw
It is not a prize
The prize would be leaving
This stuffy room
And not returning
Yet
I must sit here and wait
And wait
And wait
Watch informational videos
On jury duty
And unconscious bias
Apparently
The quote of the day is
"Awareness is fairness"
More like awareness is torture
Sitting here
Fully aware
Of wasted time
Stuck in a vacuum
Sequestered in a room
Forced to watch HGTV
On a loop
For hours
In this pool
I'm treading water
Trying to keep my head
Above the surface
My thoughts so empty
My body becomes buoyant
These home renovation shows
Become mind-numbing
Efficacious sedatives
Maybe that's the point
I feel myself staring
Watching
These mindless shows
Unable to look away
Unable to form
A creative thought
Oh, that's a nice kitchen!
Sterile white
Perfect tile
Elegant accents
In a completely realistic
Million-dollar home
That I could never afford
Wow, look at that huge bathroom!
Double shower
Jacuzzi tub
Heated floors
Does anyone even use those?
A great use of my time
My mental energy
But then I think
Maybe
Serving on a jury
Would be a unique experience
An opportunity
For creative fodder
To expand my mind
Think in a different way
More writing material
It is now 1:00 PM
Who am I kidding?
I just want to go home
Finally
The clerk announces
The following people
Are dismissed...
My name
A celebration
No shame
As others do the same
High tailing out the door
So much for the experience
I guess I'll just have to wait
Another three years
About the Creator
Alyssa Musso
A scientist by trade, but a creative at heart. One novel in progress with too many other ideas taking up space in my head. Some of those ideas end up here.
Instagram: @alyssa.n.mussowrites
My website! https://www.alyssamusso.com/
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More stories from Alyssa Musso and writers in Poets and other communities.
A Love Forboding
The chipped stone slope caused unbearable footing. I slid, skirting on my heels. I cast my shield, relinquishing my guard to stay upright. Left with my double-edge and a prayer to the maker, I skated toward my objective. The earthly stubble gave way to solid ground. I found myself restored, a trail of dust in my wake.
By James U. Rizzi3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
Haha! I've never been to jury duty before! I can usually get out of it as a teacher! Based on this description of the selection process I hope that continues to be the case!
Ah, never been through it but i found it relatable to what I know and of similar "have to"scenarios. the frustration, tedium and anxiety come thsough so biting! great poem, Alyssa!
I served on a jury back in 1985. It was definitely an interesting experience. Everybody should serve at least once in their life if only for the experience.