If These Walls Could Talk

            They say, “If these walls could talk,” as if this personification would change lives and unlock the secrets that would make every aspect of life clear.  If these walls could talk – well, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.  No lives would transform; no secrets would be revealed.  The only thing these walls have to offer is a blank space, ready to lure gossip out of you if they sense a heart gone sour.  The pale, green paint is the perfect backdrop for bitter pens to scrawl messages of hatred across.  These walls make us dread performing a simple daily task.  “What if my name is on the wall this time?” I ask myself.  I’m not sure how I would react if that happened.  On one hand, I know that whoever etched my name is simply a coward who can’t face me in person.  On the other hand, as badly as I want to forget that my name is even there, the words will still cut me deep.  Maybe I’ll try to change – but I hope that I wouldn’t give in that easily.

           

           There are so many things that could be said to make – rather than break – someone’s day.  Occasionally I’ll see a nice memo like “you’re beautiful” Or “God loves you,” but these messages are few and far between because it would be pointless to write a nice message, right?  That would just build people up.  What if they got too confident?  No – it’s safer to simply tear everyone down until every shred of confidence is diminished, leaving an empty shell where their personality once was.  That’s the only way to climb to the top of the social ladder.

            These walls are capable of speaking volumes without even uttering a word.  These walls hold far too many souls captive.  They have the kind of power that is unattainable for even the most tenacious of criticizers.  The walls hold them under their spell as well.  Janitors have tried countless times to defeat the wall with another layer of green paint, but the walls always prevail, coming back with even pettier messages than before.   

            When it’s time to leave the unforgiving, judgemental world behind, I flush the toilet and walk out of the stall.  I pray for each letter to peel away from the wall – one by one – and fall into the toilet to be flushed down with the rest of the waste.