"I'm fine" I reply, "how are you? How's your mum?"
Though I'm already wondering, why did I come?
But I smile, and I laugh, look you straight in the eye,
I even squeeze out a little white lie,
"It looks great, kind of youthful. Stylish yet cool"
But really that colour makes you look like a ghoul.
"I love this song!" you shout, as they crank up the noise,
And I feel a tilt in my well studied poise.
I want you to like me, I want to fit in,
But it's hard to think in the midst of this din,
And I'm worried, I'm fearful, I'll come across boring,
So I hold up my glasses, shout "let's get one more in!"
But now I feel stupid, cause mine is just water,
And I'm wondering if that is my body odour?
Still, I go to the bar and I wait to be served
In the jostle of shoulders and hot breath and germs.
I want to go home, get out of this place,
I'm losing my cool but don't want you to notice,
So I smile and pretend that it's all going well
But inside I'm wondering if maybe I'm ill.
I still want you to like me so I tie the mask tight,
"I'm so glad we did this, what a great night!"
You look at me though, I'm afraid you can see me,
That my mask is slipping, that it's lost it's opacity
And who was it there for, what's my intent?
You'd think that I'd want to attend to my comfort,
But you see I'm not comfortable
If I've made you uncomfortable,
And I like you and want you to be
Comfortable with me.
You're leading the way now,
I feel like I'm drowning
I follow you into the street,
Away from the hubbub and heat
And we just keep on walking,
All the while talking,
Of pets we had, back in our youth,
Now I'm sharing my genuine truth,
That Kip was the best dog and I'll love him forever
Though Rufus was always more speedy and clever,
That collies are great dogs but easily bored,
Spaniels are fun if you're cool to be pawed.
You tell how your cat always hated your mother,
As we walk on in tandem, truly with one another.
At last, I'm home, back to somewhere that's mine,
And you ask "you alright?' and I answer, "I'm fine."
About the Creator
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Where's the Glory?
In breaking news, rehabilitated Republican Senator Johnnie Johnson (Pronouns: HE, HIM, HIS) called a press conference from the Men’s room of the New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport, Concourse B, across from the Ignatius Reilly’s Lucky Dog stand. The Senator had just returned from a sexual reorientation rehabilitation program in Memphis, TN after being publically disgraced at a Buckee’s Truckstop restroom soliciting sex from an undercover cop three months ago. He is a founding member of the Reformed Christians for Christ, a conservative, pro-family and ex-gay advocacy group. In the spirit of being reborn, Senator Johnson invited reporters to marvel at his plans for a major remodeling of airport bathrooms.
By Cathy Schieffelin5 days ago in Humor
Comments (23)
A well-wrought take on the twists and (re)turns of social engagement!
I’d be delighted if you read my stories — they’re filled with mystery, emotion, and imagination that I hope will keep you captivated
Also congratulations on top story 🎉
Awww beautiful ending, love the flow of this poem. Lol “But really that colour makes you look like a ghoul.” haha (me in my head “leave that mask on!” ). Sometimes wearing a mask is important. Help filter your thoughts lol. Lovely poem.
The relatability and rhyme scheme of this is phenomenal Hannah!! Bealted congrats on Top Story!!
🎉🎉🎉Ooo din. Never heard of that word before. But it fits in so well with the rhyme scheme. And where the topic of the poem is set. Oh my gosh. Not just the water you've got to worry about. But the body odor too. Both embarrassing. Happening all at once. Nope. Just too much. Maybe you're ill. Unexpected lines. Back to back. Love it! The bit about Rufus flowed so well. Love the backstory woven in. I love the happy ending. Almost feels like your mask came off and you were able to mean it when you said you're fine this time. Outstanding, congratulations on your Top Story 🤗 ❤️ 🖤 🎉🎉🎉
Very wholesome ending, excellent piece of work!
What an amazing piece of work, really heartfelt with this material.
Congratulations
I love your story.
Great
Hannah, your use of rhyme and rhythm enhances the emotional texture of the piece rather than distracting from it. It reads smoothly yet leaves a lasting emotional mark.
captured every feeling perfectly 😩 being young and wanting to fit in with that clubbing culture, but in reality, just wanting that connection!! perfection
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Great work, the masks we wear are hard to dissolve in public sometimes the mask is worn to well and it's hard to take it off.
A mask we all wear at some time or another, Hannah. Great entry <3
I loved the trajectory of your poem, Hannah, the grace of the quiet rhythm and rhyme and especially the line we walk in tandem, truly with one another. Finding the pathway from your protagonist doing what she thought was necessary to only achieving acceptance once she did what was natural was truly beautiful. Good luck with the challenge!
This was sooo relatable. I loved how the "I'm fine" at the end was the truth. Loved your poem!
I enjoyed reading this. I saw myself at times, especially when trying to socialize, but just wanting to go home.
sounds so familiar. How I feel about TV these days. Lost in the sameness of it all. The quiet calms...home again
This was a nice meander through an individual's process. Loved the clever rhymes and my friend has a dog name Rufus, lol.
Ugh. I’m fine. Perfectly told truth
This is such a wonderfully honest and relatable piece, it perfectly captures the tension between wanting to fit in and craving authenticity. I love that ending, circling back to “I’m fine” with a whole new weight behind it.