Gulp
Sips of water, gulps of knowledge.
Shared air in shifting rooms,
an inhale of collective excitement,
a chorus of questions,
and then…
exhaled agreement.
The sound of ideas moving pen on paper,
The sound of thoughts creating change together,
Sentences unfolding maps of hope and plans,
“What about you?” and “Yes, I can!”
Enthusiasm impatient with the pace of forks,
introductions-overlapping-with-bites,
and
spilling
across
the
table.
The warm smell of coffee and community,
trust, power, cups of tea.
This rhythm of lanyards becoming companions.
Shared names becoming ecosystem expansions.
Each paper an offering, our stories the spark.
Sip your water.
Gulp the knowledge.
Kate Burns. September 2025
