Babysat Ride
Poetry by Alameda ChapmanI am an errand of convenience
We are in the kind of car old men take
for a spin once a year for an automobile parade
I don’t know where to look
what to do with my hands
I sit on them, I explain
how we are listening
to Dad Rock
I prickle, asking what his job is
I assume he would say
He is in charge
writes emails
explains a graph
in a room with swivel chairs
I know I can do all these things
In another life, I do all these things
I make a pie chart
I am on the phone
I raise money
In another life
I am driving the car
I am listening
I wear pants
He says Wall Street
is all about kissing ass
building things
like credibility
and client lists
I am great at giving
advice as I am on the phone
constantly playing pretend therapist
You are depressed
because this world is
I tell him
I might just give up
and kiss ass one day
He shakes his head
No, you're going to be a poet
I assume I was one now
I ask what type of ass kissing
He doesn't laugh
His employees ask
about his children
their soccer games
and his knee surgery
His wife
His weekend plans
The recovery time
If it will heal
Kissing his ass
If they scored
He asks
If there is ass kissing in poetry Yes, lots
I should probably kiss more
Alameda Sky Chapman is an artist from Brooklyn, New York. She loves t-shirts. She is an earth sign. You can find her on Instagram @alameda.sky.