Lisa Wiley Verse-Virtual 2018 February

February 2018

A few years ago, I was dismayed over not having a window seat at my office. My best friend said to me, don't worry, "Karma is more important than a window seat." That consolation stuck with me, and I wanted to use that line as a poem title. Fast forward a few years, and a New Yorker talking to my family about karma in a pizza place allowed me to write the poem.

Karma is More Important Than a Window Seat

You on vacation? In New York?
New York’s not a vacation —
now the Bahamas is a vacation.
Where you from? California?
My name’s Michael like the archangel.
I’m on lunch break — outta here in five minutes.
Just found out nine hours ago,
I’m going to be a father.
Thank you. Listen to your parents,
it’s the only way to get anywhere in life.

Lost my parents in a car accident.
Drunk driver hit ’em.
Cops could never catch the guy
cause he was driving a stolen car.
Karma, it’ll get him. Don’t worry.
They’re watching over me.
Like you sitting here in the corner —
if you had picked the window seat
to eat your slice of pizza,
you wouldn’t know my story.

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