versus verses

by Sharon Brooke

i wish i could write.
without having to write.
what i mean is
i wish i could capture all my thoughts that are like flocks of birds all flying in different directions into one spacious nest,
and have them all face the same way,
each politely taking their individual turn to chirp
with enough time in between chirps so that i can document their opinions properly and accurately.
thank you for your time, next?

sometimes they flow easily like a cool stream lightly over smooth clean stones
other times they’re like mini explosions, timed haphazardly, that i have to chase all around the map like a war photographer

i love the best exotic marigold hotel. its two hours of beautiful one-liners spoken to a background of vivid imagery. the kind of movie i’d like to one day write.

i think love can happen at any age. any time of day. between any two people.

today’s my first day of solitude after my first week of grad school. its a unique place to be, simultaneously attending a public community college and a private graduate school. its the yin and yang of academia, personified. yes its a full load–school, more school, work, volunteering, traveling–but its a good one. i feel it in my bones. somehow time stretches to include all that needs to be in a span of 24 hours, like a belly full of good food and contentedness, it really does. the rigor of higher education and the laxity of community college classes. its like being a prolific child actor and being provided mandatory therapy to ensure that one’s foray into adulthood isn’t met with the pitfalls that can so easily accompany fame. christ, with that metaphor, i obviously grew up in la. anyway, im glad that im undertaking both at the same time, even though its ‘by choice although not my choice’.  its kinda like training wheels, and i dont quite mind having them on. sometimes i like having my hand held.

i feel challenged and blessed. anxious and eager. ready to be the change freddy.