THE WATCHER

I am the reader, the listener, the watcher
Of others, on the sidelines, the waiter
Of something to happen, the observer,
The spectator, the student

Who soaks in the lecture
But does not raise my hand
To ask the question
That would illuminate and

Instead no one learns anything more.
I cannot play until I’ve finished
The chore. How surprised I am to find the moment gone.
I stay forever diminished.

by me 2009