02-24-25: “Welcome M.G.” and “Three.”

02-24-25: Welcome M.G.

                        After Zoe Chuang’s “Pale Ale Poetry”

I noticed him when I first stepped in the meeting room,

            foot after foot onto City Hall’s marble floor,

finding my way to the plastic seats lined up in rows,

            all facing the council, a vacancy on the right.

In the sea of people wearing t-shirts and jeans or flowy blouses,

            his royal blue suit set him apart; a checkered tie

cut from the same material as his pocket square meshes

the line between professional and free spirited,

a welcome presence within the four sterile walls.

He pairs a wide, pearly smile with his colorful suit

and dark complexion.

Noticing lastly his anime character themed socks.

Roll Call taken, minutes approved, list of Council Place 5

            candidates filtered through anonymously.

Person F claims first place, taking the lead with a

            five point difference.

President T.T. moves on to the nomination,

            Gesturing to the very man I saw when I first walked in.

“Welcome:

            M.G.”

_________________________

02-24-25: Three

“50% down.”

            “No, 25%”

“We are NOT doing 100.”

Numbers and percentages

Bounce between the fire chief

And T.W.

The only number set in stone:

three.

3 years/36 months/156 weeks/1095 days

Three calendar years

Until Jacksonville

Receives their coveted,

Brand-new fire truck.

The Fire Chief asks to lay

50% of the payment down,

Pay the other half

– of $1.02 million –

     later.

T.W. insists on paying 25%,

Unwilling to budge,

Operating under the guise

That the decision lays with

The Fire Chief,

Who agrees

Action item added,

Expenditure approved.

25% down now,

75% later,

Three years to go.