A Tidings of Magpies

by Grace Paley On certain days I am not in love and my heart turns over crowding the lungs for air driving blood in and out of the skull improving my mind working muscles to the bone dashing resonance out of a roaring sea at my nerve endings Not much is needed air good sense power a noisy taking in and a loud giving back Then my heart like any properly turned motor takes off in sparks dragging all that machinery through the blazing day like grass which our lord knows I am

Went to a Service Awards program this afternoon to recognize those with multiple years of contiuous employment with the hospital. 5, 10, 15 years, etc. 25 years here, not to mention the 4 years when I started in 1979 before I left and came back. Although my name was on the program and a photo of me hard at work was on the screen, no framed certificate with my name on it. No tie pin with the three blue glass gems. No gift certificate to Fancy-Schmancy store. Zip, nada, nothing. Some mix-up on their part. So sorry. Will get it to me. There's only six of us with 25 years of service there. How hard can it be to count the goodie bags??