Please tell us how we did.
Small business owners contend that online reviews make or break their success. If a client gives them 4 stars, not 5, they’ve failed. Most recently I was told that if I did not give a particular seller 5 stars, he would probably lose his job.
I sympathize with this plight, but I must confess that I’m a bit overwhelmed (annoyed?) by the invitations to review everything! How many stars would you give this electrician? Oil change? Pilates workout? How would you rate this phone call? Toilet plunger? Rate your experience with these salad tongs.
And I wonder . . . what if we had to rate our own hearts?
This little sonnet was first published by the penwood review, vol. 30.
Reviews Please tell us how we did. What if my heart’s just averaged into marks, my thoughts and words and deeds reviewed in stars, so morning’s whirl revolves around the force of fight for constellation’s secret source? What if today I earn the meager three —can hope be found in mediocrity— or if the rising dusk uncovers four, my unlit fifth still burning want for more? When is my brightest sky? Do maples hold the roses’ fate before they can unfold . . . Instead I’m left to beg for mercy’s night when darkness veils the dim of fainting light and deepest heaven hears my starless pleas, yet shines my life in scores of galaxies . . .