Small Talk
*Dedicated to introverts everywhere
I see you coming my way
and I realize it is inevitable,
this obligatory encounter
that is as joyous
as marriage counseling.
Hallways, offices, and doors
laugh at me from a distance,
condemning me
to meaningless interaction,
forced fakeness,
compulsory conversation.
Escape is not an option this time.
And it happens.
Your pace slows,
we make eye contact and smile.
Just. Keep. Walking
Don’t completely stop.
But you do.
“I’m so glad it’s Friday! How are you?”
What do I even say.
Energy and motivation drain from my veins.
Annoyed.
But, I’ll play.
With pretend purpose we pause
long enough to say
nothing.
Yes, words echoed off the walls
and friendly laughter fooled them all.
But what was shared?
Five minutes felt like fifty.
And now I need to sit down,
alone
and think.
03/10/2017
SLPD
iWrite the Utterly Impossible 