I'm Sorry, But I Have to Leave Now
An ode to conversations we cannot escape, despite our best efforts.
It started off quite pleasant,
As just a momentary break
From the rhythms of the day to disrupt
The monotony of the office buzz
But I really must be going now
It’s been a delightful pleasure
Up until the point where I said I needed to leave
Perhaps you didn’t hear?
I have risen from my chair
And started to walk toward the door
But you’re still talking
About the garden and your family
And your little niece who makes you smile
You pull out your phone to show me
All the cute pictures of her and her antics
Which are sweet
But I’m by the door now
My body turned away as I mention once more
That I need to pack up my things and get going
Once more, with feeling,
You remember something else
That you must tell me, this very instant—
An anecdote of some such thing your husband did at home
That struck you funny that you think I will enjoy
A polite smile graces my lips—
But you haven’t read my other cues either,
As I back away and take a few steps more into the hall
It is now ten minutes past when I started to leave in the first place
And I wonder, should I wander down the carpet,
If you will still be speaking to the empty air I once occupied
Or if it’s really me that you’re talking to at all—
Now it is your Sunday plans with your friends at this weekend’s game
As I finally say I must really use the bathroom, now,
And exit stage right.
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