Due to airline delays and cancelations,
I’ve been wearing the same socks and pants for three days.
I found one last pair of clean underwear and a shirt that smells ok.
I’ve got a drawer full of colorful dress socks at home.
I have a home.
Which is more than I can say for the family living in this hotel.
Today they are moving from the fourth to the third floor.
I saw the father with four plastic shopping bags
Bulging with used groceries
He picked up his pace when he saw me.
Avoided eye contact.
I hope I didn’t give him a judgmental glare.
I probably did.
One does not want to give away the fact they are being judgmental
I took in his long hair, furtive glance, and cheap tattoos and I judged him.
I drew conclusions and asked questions in my mind
Then I worried that his bags would split
The contents crashing to the floor.
A mix of broken glass and assorted food.
But first I judged him.
I saw the whole family at the breakfast buffet in the lobby.
The mother was wearing a shirt that proclaimed
“Only God can judge me.”
She caught my eye and I knew she knew I was judging her too.
I am writing all this at 30,000 feet
As we make our way to our home
With drawers filled with colorful socks and clean clothes.
Quietly Making Noise 