Disappearing in Plain Sight

Wear only simple clothes.

Neutrals. No logos.

Smile just enough.

Don’t smile too much or people will talk to you.

Don’t frown or someone will ask what’s wrong.

Let your opinions be seasonal.

Arrive on time.

Leave early.

Say you’re just tired.

Say you’re just busy.

Ignore their calls.

Text that you’re swamped with work

and will call when you’re done.

Don’t.

Ask questions,

then vanish into their answers.

People like mirrors more than windows.

Keep your space clean.

Keep your tone even.

Keep your grief folded tightly in your throat.

Speak in phrases that could belong to anyone.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“No worries at all.”

Sit at the edge of group photos.

Crop easily.

Be helpful. Be humble. Be forgettable.

At parties, hold a drink.

Even if you don’t drink.

Especially if you don’t drink.

Nod at the right times.

Laugh when the others laugh.

They won’t remember what you said.

Just that you were there.

Maybe.

Wear a scent too subtle to name.

One no one will ask about,

and everyone will forget.

If someone starts to look too closely,

shift the subject.

Make them talk about themselves.

You know you’ve disappeared

when they don’t ask how you’ve been.

Congratulations.

You’ve done it.

They don’t know where it hurts.

And you don’t have to explain.