Speak
The grind of the coffee maker. A public place…the hush. Voices of people who wish not to be heard. Coffee. Bitter in my mouth, yet whole.
My eyes, they behold many strange sights:
Two tables down from me
An older woman intent on her book.
Pen in hand she sketches notes in the margins
Old she is, yet striving for an education
One she never claimed in her youth.
Young at heart she bears upon her feet Nikes
A trademark whose slogan she is living out…Just Do It
Little lady you inspire.
To achieve no time is too late.
A young couple sits in the corner
Tired and burdened they hold themselves together
But, oh, an infant is placed by their sides
A joyous burden it is that they carry
Satisfaction in the eyes of a young family
Child, your face never graced my sight
But as you leave me
You remind me of the beauty in life
Family of three intent on a game
Different they are
His boisterous laugh infringes the room
The game is complete
Now he’s impatient
It’s time to go.
Mother and daughter could chatter for hours
Sit down sit down—you may get tired
Man, you are a portrait
Of life and its fleeting
For all of us will laugh
Then wish to move on
A girl, my age, Bible in hand
Now occupies the young couples corner
Bible in her hands she holds it near
She is intent. Focus unwavering.
A connection to the unseen
Faith is reachable
Unattached and unfeeling a girl in the corner
Skeptical of the world and this generation
Hands are chilled pen grasped.
I tell you.
Stand up.
Be bold.
Grasp Life.
It is Beautiful.
Speak.
* A writing excercise for English 202. I sat in Woods for 1 hour and wrote down everything I saw, heard, smelled, tasted, touched, and observed and this was the result of compiling it into a poem of sorts.
