Speak

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.