SUMMER 2006

STEP OVER : JOT writers from Albany Park Community Center; Atonement Covenant Church in West Englewood; and Bezazian, King and Mabel Manning Branch Libraries.

This issue of JOT features:

-Photography by Jason Reblando
-Writing from over 30 JOT writers

Read work from the magazine! For more information on how to receive a copy of the magazine for $10 or to receive a year of JOT for $25, please call the NWA office at (773) 684-2742.

SOUNDS MADE IN THE E. R.
K Frances

Next! Next in line step over!
He was my boyfriend we were going to get married.

His sugar got too low.

He lost control of the car.

Next! Next in line step over!
Oh my feet are so swollen I can’t walk.

When your name is called
please raise your hand
so that I will know that you are still here.
Next! Next in line step over!
Lady could you pray for me?
I need an operation and they won’t do it.
I’m in so much pain.

The paramedics wouldn’t let me touch my boyfriend.
I just wanted to kiss him. They don’t know
if he’s going to make it.

Next! Next in line step over!
I need a wheelchair; my feet…so big.

They took my boyfriend to another hospital.
We were almost home—he hit a median strip and the car
started rolling over.
Oh Lord! I just want to go home.
Please God I want to go home.

Next! Next in line step over!
Lady can I please see a doctor? I’ve been here since
one o’clock in the afternoon and now it’s midnight.
Mister, some people have been here since nine this morning!
Next! Next in line step over!

AVOIDANCE
Jeanette A. Jordan

It’s cold now what do I do?
The taste of warm delight is missing.
So the next time my buds are watered
The swig will be blistering.

I'M AWAITING
Ramila Lunic´

The summer arrived.
It was a Long wait.
I'm waiting.
People say,
I've nothing else to do.
Whole of life is waiting.

So many people believe
I enjoy it.

If I try my way
everything turns
upside-down.
Circumstances make their own way.

Each of us waits for
somebody or something.

Waiting, our entire life.
While I'm waiting, analyzing.
Everyone has a secret hope.
Some of us
receive what
we were waiting for.

© 2004 Neighborhood Writing Alliance