Sandra Martyres - Another face in the crowd

Long sinewy fingers
Typing furiously
E-mail after e-mail
On a laptop
That is falling apart

He happens to pass by
He exchanges a pleasantry
She does not reply
Just continues typing
He feels slighted
She does not know
Her mind on the word flow

Minutes later
His patience wears out
He begins to shout
She seems not to care
Or remains unaware
That he is around
Waiting for a voice a sound
Other than her fingers
Tapping on the laptop keys

Finally she is done
She shuts the laptop
Places it in the case
And, as if in a hurry
To run a race
Moves fast across the floor
Heading towards the door

He chases behind her
But she is too quick
On the street
She beats a hasty retreat
And like a phantom
She vanishes into the crowd

She is nameless
One more of Mumbai’s
Unknown working Moms
Leaving home early
Returning back late
Only to start working again
For her children and her mate
She has no time for pretensions
Or his unsolicited attentions

Sandra Martyres

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/another-face-in-the-crowd-2/