Let there be Love...

My Wake-Up Call/ Part I

It was late August of 1967, I was just about to turn 17 years old and attend my junior year of high school. When my teacher and friend, Mr. Lance Smith rang my phone, passing to me some news that I wasn't even close to being prepared for.
I was in quite some confusion at the time; looking for a grand college to enroll myself in. I didn't know what career path I should invest my time in. I was sure I wanted to write, however I felt the need to learn about something else since i've had a life time experience with writing words on a piece of paper. Was it Musical Theory, Eastern Philosophy, or Psychiatry? I could even name more. I was drowned in an ocean of reality. My mind chose to bury my optimism in stress, anxiety, and doubt. I needed motivation.
"Ms. Lennon, I would like to proudly announce that you have been chosen by the National Poetry Society of America to travel across the world to Wolverhampton, England and read your outstanding poetry to audiences from all around the world." gleefully said Mr. Smith.
I immediately felt a brand new sense of excitement in my gut, I could feel my eyes widen, my heart started to aggressively sing with jubliance as it quickly pumped in my body.
I could no longer tell what else he was trying to say, I couldn't understand because it seemed so unreal.
I've never wanted to be the center of attention with my writing. But, Mr. Smith has been my only true audience that I have accepted. He has supported me tremendously. He has taught me very well.
He then explained to me that he showed my work to an elite writing judge that worked for a literary agency. "I had no choice." he stated, "All your life, you have been trapped in this small town with these close-minded folks who can't appreciate writing that is highly sublime. Your talent being shared with the world is something I am certain to make happen before I fall to my death."
A tear or two fell down my dry cheek as I listened to his kind words. After about twenty more minutes of sincerely thanking him, we both hung up and called it a night. I later rested in my bed with thankfulness and gratitude for something that had yet to come.