A Tisket A Tasket

Hello.
How are 'we' today?

'I'm sorry.
You say something to me?
Listening to music.
Earplugs.
Noise reduction.'

I said hello.
How are 'we' today?

'Me? Well.'

Well...? What?

'Fine.'

Find?
Find what?
I'm not here looking for anything.

'Okay.
I see where this is going.
You know...
It was many years ago,
I first refused to see a psychiatrist.
To believe everyone else,
Claiming themselves to be normal.
Were...
Well,
Actually visitors from another planet.
And I began to feel.
Out of place and sought some help.'

Continue.
Please do.
This sounds very familiar.
Are you a mind reader,
Prophet or a psychic?

'No.
But I will admit,
No attraction do I have...
To aggravation, irritation,
Or games of B.S.'

That's funny.
I like your sense of humor.
So what advice,
Did that psychiatrist of yours give to you?

'He told me to my face.
As I am telling you to yours.
He said...
The issues and problems,
I believe I then had.
Were my own to solve.
And nobody else.
He then told me,
To look in the mirror.
And all accusations I made will be gone.'

Interesting.
Then what happened?

'Ella Fitzgerald!'

Ella...who?

'Queen of Jazz.
First Lady of song.'

I don't connect.
I don't understand.

'There was this park,
Much like this one here.
That I would frequently go to visit.
And over and over...
I would listen to Ella sing,
Her version...
Of A Tisket A Tasket.'

A Tisket A Tasket?

'Yep.
I changed it up a bit though.
Adding a few of my own lyrics.
And the first thing I would do,
When sitting alone.
Minding my own business.
Humorless.
And enjoying my peace of mind.
I am hoping in seconds to get.
To not miss.
I would put my earplugs in.
Then...
With Ella I would sing...
A Tisket A Tasket,
Not all eggs are cracked...
In my carried wicker basket!'

Wow.
And that works for you?

'Sure does.
You have no idea.
Especially...here. on this bench.
When I am sitting alone.
Quietly.
Minding my own business.
Hoping someone would respect,
I am not into pointless conversations.
Or exchanging names.
To discover more relatives.
On either my mother or father's side,
Of my ever growing family.
No interest do I have,
As to who did who wrong and when.
The temperature of the weather.
Nor the changing of the seasons.
News of division, conflicts or racism.
Or a 'we' to not see.
When it is obvious to 'me'...
To believe it should be,
There is no 'we' but me here.
About to lose both patience...
And my calm to keep cool temper.'

You are so funny.
Can you tell me this though,
Do they sell eggs already cracked?
To notice them.
Before they are put into a basket?

'What?
Oh God no!
Please don't do this to me.
I pray, exercise.
And do everything I can to keep sane!'

Why are you staring at me like that?
I am serious.
And why,
Are you looking up and down...
And around your back?

'I...uh...I really don't know.
There is something unusual going on.'

Unusual?
What do you mean?

'Someone sent you here,
To make me laugh hysterically.
Didn't they?
Confess!'

No.
But I do wonder one thing.

'Please release me let me go.
'Cuz I don't want you anymore.'

THAT IS WHAT I WONDERED ABOUT.
AND WANTED TO KNOW.
YOUR 'REAL' SINGING VOICE.
You...can...sing.
I mean really sing.
I know.
I know to you,
None of this makes any sense.
But...
I am a minister.
And was told I would find you here.

'What on Earth are you talking about?'

I am a minister.
I was told you come to the park.
To sometimes sing.
I want you and your voice in my choir.

'Uh...uh...whoa.
Whoa whoa whoa whoa.
You...
Are what?'

A preacher, minister, man of God.
Whatever it is you wanna call me.

'Scripture lips?
Listen to me.
God has blessed me enough.
I have no desire to sing,
Hip hop, house, rock, blues or rap.
You will not use my voice,
To get down, drop it while it's hot.
In no church these days.
For the purpose to recruit sinners.
I am an independent lover,
Of my own sins.
And everyday when I awaken,
I testify.
Thanking God,
To have blessed me to survive through...
Another day.'

If you change your mind,
Give me call.
Here's my card.

'Sure.'

You have a great day.

'I will. You too?'

Whew.
Nice try,
ONE ALMIGHTY.
Your ways, Most High?
Are getting a bit too mysterious for me.
You sure know how to test my faith.
I was close.
Very.
I was about to go off!
I mean...
Full blast.
Fast and loud!