A shout into the void
Jillian Strom
He engraves his name into the wall,
Hoping to be remembered,
Wishing for his name to carry on,
Yearning to matter to the world around him.
He believes that the world will carry on the same without his feet to make a print in the ground on his way to work.
He believes that the woman at the front desk, who he greets everyday, will live on in the same way without their simple encounter.
He believes that the old man at the grocery store will not miss his helping hand with the groceries every week.
He believes that the birds at the park will not miss the small pieces of food he drops and
that his kids will not miss hearing his voice because they never call.
He believes that his ex-wife will not care when he’s gone because she obviously hates him.
Little did he know...
Little did he know, the flowers he waters on his way to work are the only care they receive.
Little did he know, the woman at the front desk arrives to work 15 minutes early every day just to see the man who gives her a small smile and wishes her a good day.
Little did he know, the old man at the grocery store arrives at the same time every week in the hopes to see his friend who helps him bag the groceries.
Little did he know, the birds at the park migrate to the bench he sits on because they finally know it’s time to eat.
Little did he know, his kids never call because they wait for their father to call in the same way he does.
Little did he know, his ex-wife still loves him more than ever and wishes that their relationship could finally mend.
Little did he know of the impact he had on the world,
Of every person, animal and thing.
The man carves his name into the wall,
leaving yet another mark on the world,
The world he swears he doesn’t matter to.