The voices in my head
all agree it’s
time.
They whisper
then laugh at me
and my feeble attempts
to navigate through another day
another labyrinthian set of interactions
with my fellow humans.
Why is it so difficult?
How can I find the courage
yet again
to face each one,
when every
meeting,
every conversation,
is a pit with sharpened sticks
waiting for me to fall
and impale myself upon them?
Others don’t even notice
the red, neon signs
“DANGER”
that begin blinking above their heads
as soon as I walk up to them.
So once again,
I prepare to go out,
prepare to do battel with
everyone who is going about their business
so casually,
so comfortably.
For them it’s easy-peasy.
They have no idea
just how harrowing it is,
how exhausting it is,
every damn day.
This is written for http://thesundaymuse.blogspot.com/2021/04/sunday-muse-156.html.
I am delighted you joined us for the Muse this week Mary!! I can relate to this deeply. I find that I metaphorically see strangers in public as loaded guns now. I avoid them, skirt away, far out of my way to avoid them. It always feels like there are so many that think this pandemic is nothing or no worry to them. Anyway, I love your poem and that you are here!
“another day
another labyrinthian set of interactions” That is so good!
Your choices in line and stanza breaks are excellent – really pack a punch! Good writing.
Your poem resonates for me. For introverts and those who feel things with a hypersensitivity like me, it can be torture. I agree with qbit, maybe some are better at hiding it than others?
Charlee: “We’re lucky to be cats.”
Chaplin: “Yes, we just do our own thing and don’t care what anyone else thinks, wants, or is doing.”
Lulu: “Uh-huh, and the rest of us have noticed.”
Charlee: “But you love us anyway.”
Chaplin: “You can’t help it. We’re cats.”
In Other Words 
I am delighted you joined us for the Muse this week Mary!! I can relate to this deeply. I find that I metaphorically see strangers in public as loaded guns now. I avoid them, skirt away, far out of my way to avoid them. It always feels like there are so many that think this pandemic is nothing or no worry to them. Anyway, I love your poem and that you are here!
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Thanks so much, Carrie. I really love the picture prompt every week, even when I don’t participate.
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“For them it’s easy-peasy.” – maybe it only looks easy, and many others are also struggling?
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Perhaps…
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Oh, I get this. The times I go out, I am nervous, smile not always genuine. I’m an extrovert sliding into introvert.
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“another day
another labyrinthian set of interactions” That is so good!
Your choices in line and stanza breaks are excellent – really pack a punch! Good writing.
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Thank you!
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Your poem resonates for me. For introverts and those who feel things with a hypersensitivity like me, it can be torture. I agree with qbit, maybe some are better at hiding it than others?
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“another labyrinthian set of interactions”
Splendid expression.
Thanks for dropping by my blog today Mary
Much💛love
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The hoo-mons, they are terrifying. Pets, on the other hand, are soothing!
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Lol, right!
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Charlee: “We’re lucky to be cats.”
Chaplin: “Yes, we just do our own thing and don’t care what anyone else thinks, wants, or is doing.”
Lulu: “Uh-huh, and the rest of us have noticed.”
Charlee: “But you love us anyway.”
Chaplin: “You can’t help it. We’re cats.”
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Lol, next life I want to come back as a cat.
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Charlee: “We highly recommend it!”
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You speak masterfully for the introverts of the world. I feel the pain.
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Thanks Beverly. 🙂
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Another day, of hopeful anticipation … blending into a panoply of days. Hoping yours are positive. Beautifully composed.
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Thank you, Helen.
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Beautifully written. Personally, I’m more at ease with animals.
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Your opening was great. I didn’t notice the red, neon signs “DANGER” either, maybe I’m okay.
..
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🙂
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