Animated, my voice hushed
Eyes darting this way, that way
I leaned forward to decant
My thoughts, careful to retain
Dregs of ugly sediments
Then felt lighter, happier.
In the market of gossip
In the stalls of small talk
I quickly became a ware
Poorly displayed, tagged cheaply
To be bartered so buyers
May lend grace to their pleasure.
Soon, curious stares impaled me
Broad grins drowned my psyche
Pitilessly exposed and violated
I sought barriers that could hide me,
That could shield me from the plague.
Crammed by people thrust upon me
I’m crowded out of my life...
There is no isolated living
Only a community opposed to privacy.
