A Lonely Figure in the Laundromat

Inside a laundromat’s drowsy, luminous window,
he sits in a dull green chair, waiting.
The low, hypnotic hum of washers and dryers
wraps around him like a lullaby for the lonely.

His eyes wander
frumpy women, dryers pressed against the walls,
an impatient wristwatch ticking in small insistence.

A worker has moved two plants
on the line of dryers beside him.
Outside, rain falls timidly,
swaying in the streetlights with the wind.
It is 8:00 PM.

Full dryers spin clothes in a heated whirl,
twisting and tumbling,
as if rehearsing the passion of long-time lovers.
Empty dryers hum in quiet sympathy,
like kindred spirits waiting beside him.

He slips into fantasy:
at home, he folds his wife’s shirts
soft, downy, arranged just so.
Perfect.

Reality sharpens.
There is no wife.
This laundromat is an asylum
where a lonely man passes time
in a hard, ugly chair.

Time slides past under fluorescent and neon,
until he hoists his sack,
steps into the rain,
and begins the long, silent walk home.

At 9:17, a young couple bursts past,
carefree, laughing,
splashing puddles under a streetlight,
their joy ringing through the night.

He shifts his sack from shoulder to shoulder,
steps through waves of rain slapping the leaves,
listens to their voices fade
into distant thunder.

Lights glow in windows along the street.
Home will be dry, quiet,
and a solitary chair will wait.

Author's Note

Thank you to those of you who read this.

Reviews

[Fran Marie]

A second read on this one, Tim
still such despair seeping through
each line,

a certain dullness of existence and
heart wretching emotions spilling forth
Well conveyed poem

[Relic]

Thank you very much for taking the time to give it a second read, Fran. :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This is really very good writing. It sets a mood in a conversational tone with observations that move the reader with nuance and environment. Though the tone may be a depressing one, it's the presentation that makes it like watching film noir; darkly voyeuristic and attractive. I enjoyed the read even though I hate the laundromat. ;)

[Relic]

lol much appreciated, Fabian. Thanks.

[Lorry]

I've always felt that laundromat have the uncanny ability to shrink your soul, as you await with mind numbing inevitability, the stifling hopelessness of heat and smell of other people, faintly nbit not quite covered by detergents and fabric softeners, whose chemical undertone only add to the craziness and isolation of so many, whose eyes begin to impersonate the spin cycle of the masses, too fearful to make eye contact in case it raises an eyebrow, or even worse, a conversation.
The title says it all really.. ARGH!!! 😊

[Relic]

I like your interprettion, Lorry. The laundrymat can be a place of dread for some people. Thanks for the comment. :)

[DIVYA]

I loved the description of the laundry room and that made this poem special to me. It's the first time I have read such stark, moving imagery woven around a household appliance. Indeed, it all comes to reflect his internal ruminations and how the undercurrent of loneliness overwhelms his consciousness. As for my take on this, I would say I loved the concluding lines because they felt so much like home to me. I'm a loner, I love my space and I love my own company (The only people I cannot live without are my kids) To me, that giggling young couple symbolizes a season and that season visits all. It is a season that inevitably passes and we're left to wrestle with our grey, raining reality. A poem so beautiful to read...thanks for sharing.

[Relic]

What a great comment. Thank you, DIVYA. :)

[DIVYA]

It was such a pleasure! You're most welcome dear Relic. :)

[Susan 🦋]

Well, if your intention was that dagger in the heart emotion... you win. Loneliness is a hard truth for so many. Conveyed beautifully sad.

[Relic]

I appreciate your comment, Sue. I've been there and I know what it feels like.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Wow, this is a heavy writing. reality of so many. You really tether this feeling of loneliness to the waiting chair.

[Relic]

Thanks for reading, Cherrie. Glad you liked it. :)

[Cherrie L Bill]

Would make a great opening for a bigger piece.

[Relic]

Possibly, but I haven't got the energy. lol

[Cherrie L Bill]

I hear that

[Marlon Ferguson]

Effective imagery here, but reads more lke prose than poetry, at least by my definition.
Well expressed and evocative.

[Relic]

You might like this one:
https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/HouseofRelics/1049314/
No need to review.

[Chris Shaw]

It's a long time since I sat in a launderette, but I can remember it well. I was young, skint and far away from home and my love life was down the toilet. At least my clothes were clean. I felt tears on my cheeks as I read this Tim. Excellent writing.

Chris

[Relic]

Thank you very much, Chris.

[Gee]

So sad. This the plight of many methinks, especially folk with mental health issues.
So well written.
After 8 years here I would be hard pressed to find a better pen than yours.
Hope you are well

[Relic]

I really appreciate that, Gee. Thank you very much. And yes, I'm well, hope you are too.

[softlyfall]

he sits in his usual boring spot by the window
and waits
That is heartbreaking. I can see him, looking in through the window. I wish him happiness.
I totally get "the fantasies have been hard to slip out of"... when the inner life embellishes the outer so much and so often, the differences seem to obscure...hence we are left in (and this laundromat is just) an asylum.
It fascinates me how you take what seems mundane and make it so compelling.