NO VACANCY

Hearts that are lonely
hearts that cry out during times
of stillness and quietude
their pain to no avail
for they are trapped
in a veil of loneliness
much of which is due
to their own machinations.

These are the hearts
so involved with themselves
that they are blinded
to their unique fault
of making no room
for anyone else.

Should you by chance
be a victim of your own self
break the vicious cycle
by coming out of your
imposed and possessed self
share with others
listen to them
interact with them
enjoy their presence
open your mind
open your heart
above all
cease talking only about yourself
resolve to remove the "No Vacancy"
sign covering your lonely heart.

Herbert Holzbauer
© January 2002

Midi: Aria from La Traviata
Composer: Guiseppe Verdi
Sequencer: Bill King 1997

Photo: Courtesy of NOAA