Degree in Understanding

I’m sitting through a seminar
on Thursday afternoon
on a topic I don’t really care about.
yet.

Alright, maybe I do care,
a little,
but not enough to be wholeheartedly listening
no…

Thursday afternoon and I’m
sleeping through a seminar
on college
because while it should make sense
to plan for this now,
I’m far more concerned about
next period’s history test
or
a trip to Dions this afternoon
or
my birthday this weekend
the
my life as it will be in four -
three?
four?
three.
(crap)
I’m far more concerned about now
than my life as it will be in three years.

Planning ahead has never suited me.
I tend to leave things out
like room for improvisation
spontaneity
because I can’t pencil in the unexpected
for Tuesday next
at four o’clock.
sharp.

Thursday evening and I’m
sitting through a backseat seminar
on college
and the front seat is talking about
majors
and
degrees
and
how Christine needs to change her major again
because she knows what she wants do with her life
and suddenly
everybody wants to know
what the kid in the back
wants to do when she grows up.

Oh. That would be me, wouldn’t it?

I think I want to major in dreams
with minors in physics, ceramics and philosophy
Or possibly major in magic
and minor in fiber arts and European history.
Or how about I major in the impossible!
no.
That degree would take a little too much effort.

I’ve got it!!
I want a degree in understanding.
Lessons in how to listen
in having an open mind
in seeing things as they are
instead of as they appear to be
And I go on like this for five, maybe ten minutes
until someone says,
“Well that’s a great idea kiddo,
but you can’t really do anything with it.
Now can you?”

I’ll be damned if I can’t.

It is, after all, a degree in understanding.
No one’s as good at it as they should be.
I’m not as good at it as I should be.
and it would come in handy too!
people who listen,
really listen,
can cure anything
fix anything
a broken heart
a failed test
a shattered friendship
simply by
listening
and understanding
and finding out what’s going on so we can
do something about it

and as much as I’d like to continue this conversation,
I can’t
‘cuz I’m out of time.
I could pencil you in for a later date if you like.
How about…Tuesday next?
But not at four o’clock
oh no, not at four o’clock
I’m busy then.
I’m meeting the unexpected
on Tuesday next
at four o’clock.
Sharp.