All Contingencies Accounted For

by Evie Groch


One door slam, then another.
One door shut, another locked.
A third signed with ‘No Admittance.’
Rude and crude and unforgiving,
yet we managed to alter the building’s
structure and interior design.

First we widened the threshold
to accommodate one toe to keep the door ajar.
Then a shattering of the transparent ceiling.
Next, an office, not a cubicle, in which
we too wear the pants,
and dresses if we want.
Then a conference table
with room for us.

Finally, in case they don’t
give us a seat at the table,
we always carry a folding one
in the trunks of our cars.
Excuses a thing of the past.


* * * * *

Evie Groch, Ed.D. is a Field Supervisor/Mentor for new administrators in Graduate Schools of Education.  Her opinion pieces, humor, poems, short stories, recipes, word challenges, and other articles have been widely published in The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Contra Costa Times, The Journal, Games Magazine, and many online venues. Many of her poems are in published anthologies. Her short stories, poems, and memoir pieces have won her recognition and awards. Her travelogues have been published online with Grand Circle Travel. The themes of travel, language, immigration, and justice are special for her.