Institutional Intuition?

I'm walking in towards those doors,

Carved bold and bright is an Inscription,

"Welcome to the place where your dreams come alive."

My heart is soaring,

I'm teeming with excitement,

My heart is bursting at the thought of enlightenment.

I slowly step through those beautiful glass doors,

As one steps out of a dream into reality,

And a gentleman sits right before me,

He smiles at me, full of warmth, very sweetly,

"Welcome, he says, and may all you wish for come to you for sure."

I'm walking down those sturdy brick-walled halls,

Though I'm happy, I gently hear my spirit call,

Was that a hint of fear?

Maybe just a little over-excitement,

Myself I reassure.

I'm now seated, and my mind is full of thoughts,

I'm a little anxious, and definitely exhausted.

It's been a year since I've been here,

And joy is seldom near.

Right before me the Upright Piano stares boldly at me,

As if silently inviting,

A little tune from me.

I'm smiling, now.

For some reason, I feel comforted,

It's like the piano, seems to understand me.

One, two three, my fingers begin to play,

And I'm almost sure I hear him speak.

"You seem happy to see me,"

The Piano sings,

"But deep down inside I hear your lonely heart,"

With mellow song, he goes on.

"I see a lot of fellows here, who feel like you and me."

I'm startled by his words and my hands do hesitate.

The music stops, but the mellow words ring clear in my head.

"I see a lot of fellows here, who feel like you and me."

I ask myself, "Am I really not alone?"

I must have spent much time looking in,

I barely noticed their lonely eyes.

As I get up to leave, confronted by many thoughts,

Comforted by the little tune,

My friend spots me through the little door window,

And bids me a wave hello.

And as I step closer to the door, it becomes clear to me,

In their eyes, I see exactly what he told me.

For they indeed seemed happy to see me,

But I could suddenly see it in their eyes,

The mellow eyes of a lonely heart.

I turn towards the piano,

And thank him for this lesson,

As I get out the door, my friend extends a warm embrace.

And deep down I know I'm not alone.

~The Afreecan.

This blog post is an expression of protest through poetry. The lessons behind this writing will follow in the next blog post where I explore the concepts of Music, poetry and Storytelling and their intersections. This blog is dedicated to my fellow students at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town. Several students came together to protest new policies enacted by the Music Student's Council. This poem is a message to those who need to hear it, you are not alone. And to those who feel their voices have no power, Amandla!

Yours Sincerely,

The Afreecan