firsts

the stomach flip-flopping,
   trying to remember everything
   everyone was telling me,
the worries that i might
mess everything up –
   O Lord, do i remember 
   first days at jobs! so
as i move through
this day, remind me that
for the barista,
     the receptionist,
     the clerk,
     the technician
it just might be
their first day
   and give me
   the grace of
patience.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman