No, I don’t wanna
Go places where I
Have to stand in lines or
Have dinner at the same time
Every night or
Be inside crowds;
Places too loud
Where the chatter
Becomes chaos.
Give me stages
Where I can
Engage and explain,
Sing a refrain,
Feel the purpose
Of the collective
Soaking in my directive.
No, I don’t wanna
Walk through shopping malls
Or office building halls;
Stand under fluorescent lighting or
Listen to the sounds
Of people fighting;
Deviant intent
Or any other trigger.
Give me quiet,
Soft hugs and laughter,
Feeling the trees;
The wind in their leaves.
Give me the access
To understanding
From those who
Believe that to give
Is sweeter than
To receive,
Because
No, I don’t wanna,
And sometimes
That’s just how things are.
Vennie Kocsis 