Duct tape and cardboard boxes---filled with prospective memories and life lessons
to be applied to this new experience of being a college freshman
surround me like a hostile crowd of natives
not ready or willing to welcome the outsider
I felt trapped
bags and keys in hand, the only thing in mind was RUN
These new four walls felt too small
These new faces too unfamiliar
complemented with the fact that you could smell my differences
from miles away
But I chose this...so there was no getaway
I closed the door, let out a heavy, very audible sigh
Closed my eyes...opened them again
And addressed my new roommate with a very timid, uncharacteristic hello
But to my surprise,
Her face broke into a smile
Shit, she was just as scared as I
All this time imagined she'd be some fire breathing, snarling beast
Not realizing, she was just as new to this as me
It was that night, which would be the first of many
that I felt a strong inclination
pulling out pen and paper
Laptop...placing uncertain fingers on welcoming keys
Phone with its cool, bright, greeting screen
Anything, to let my new flowing ideas come to life
Finally I had a reason to write
because sometimes lips cannot communicate
all the thoughts produced from the electricity of life
So I turn to my silent words
to be made noise on my lined and inked stage
among faces that feel just like you
connecting to me words and my feelings
in a way I never could before