a diner in the city

radio playing,
basketball game on tv,
the place is warm because of broken a.c.
(overheard my waitress telling someone else)
dishes clanging in the background,
customers eating and talking,
various cell phones going off,
the base of automobiles outside.

the things I observe when I stop and pay some attention
to what is going on around me,
a biology class lesson, the only thing I learned,
because I realized I joined the wrong course,
and had to drop after two days,
and I kept wondering, "what does this have to do with nursing?"
well, nothing...

environmental awareness,
a study in observation,
location, Illinois State Beach Park,
instructor, a tree loving green hugger,
who was highly favored among pupils.

waterline,
sand dune,
trail,
white seagulls flying around,
a few small groups of people sitting and
playing on the sand about 75 yards out
and more at 50 yards away,
as a beach fly crawls up my notebook.

small waves crashing,
the low base sound of a truck out in the distance,
the peace of silently slowing down for half an hour,
taking in nature, changing my perception of the world,
a refreshing relief from the busy grind and the call of the phone,
to realize the beauty that says "I've been here the whole time."