away from the door

the doorman

isn't just a doorman,

of course he isn't,

of course he has another

life outside

the building

where he works,

he exists in

another world

unencumbered

of the tasks

in saying hello to us

as we come and go,

tipping his hat

and briefing

us on the weather,

but we think

of him that way whenever

we see him

out and about, minus

the uniform,

the hat

and red brocade,

isn't that the doorman

we whisper to one another

as we wait

in line for our

bagel

and cream cheese,

our coffee

and say quietly,

isn't that him ahead of us?