I remember a professor
invited to speak
to us about careers.
He could not wait
to dig his hand
inside a paper sack.
Like an overgrown boy
he pulled out a toy
wound it up
put it down
a set of teeth
chattering away
bouncing itself
around in circles
clackity clack
smackity smack
falling off the edge.
He ran to catch it.
I forgot his message.
Today I think
of people like that
whose mouths
flap endlessly,
they gossip away
as mindless puppets
their words mean little
and wonder
why they fall.
I remember
falling like that
feeling low and worthless
yet somebody out there
a mentor or voice
like that professor
caught me and helped
me back to level ground.
