The perpendicular marks on the carpet,

Below my blistered boots, mark my path to this

Place of auditory affirmation.

The noise from the tv tells me to stop

The silence and listen to

Talking mocking teething media personalities:

I feel the hereness of hearing and for this reason,

All is perfect.

 

The questions my mind beckons to

Consciousness are neither new nor old but

Persistent: this steadfastness feels normal—

A salutation of life and auditory awareness.

 

The fortunate falls we face and fear

Hear no cries of regret but rather,

Cries of confidence that propel new-

ness and resilience.

Like the spindly carpet from the waiting room floor,

I stand still and sally my silent awakening.

 

Joey Kim

Joey Kim is a Ph.D. student in English at Ohio State. Her research interests include British Romantic poetry, Romantic Orientalism, gender and sexuality, and postcolonial studies. She is particularly interested in the intersections of theories of sexuality and Orientalist literatures. She earned her MA in English literature at Ohio State as well, and is currently reading for her PhD candidacy exams.

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