Wayward Wordsmith. by Ashley Cooke

Closing his eyes

he places his fingers on the strings

strumming the guitar

singing every word

that comes to mind

He finishes and opens his eyes

hoping that some had met his

and understood something

but everyone is focused on their drinks

or lost in a quiet conversation

His mouth pressed against the microphone

like it was her lips

and it reminded him of home

how she sat and listened for hours

hearing every word within him

He left the bar

with a few tips in hand

but he learned more from their silence

starting up the pickup truck

finally headed in a direction he knew.

Ashley Cooke is a creative writing major attending Long Beach City College. She is from Long Beach, CA. She works at a hospital and at a music venue. She is currently working on her first poetry collection.