Quiet

Quiet

Walking along with a lone acoustic guitar

playing out a slow minor melody

through my ear buds.

I pass by smiling faces and laughing people,

keeping my head down

I pick up my pace.

I turn into my coffee shop,

the door held for me

by a man with a sympathetic nod,

I think he saw my eyes.

I pour eight quarters

into the “Grab-and-Go” hole,

and avoid eye contact with my favorite barista.

Self-serve coffee comforts me today.

Out again into the hot thick air,

sweat begins to mix with tears as

I hurry back to my car.

Inside, door shut. Quiet.

Turn engine on, switch albums.

Ducky Boys, the band that calms me.

My shoulders stop shaking,

I throw my car in reverse

and head to wide open roads again.

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