Small Talk *Dedicated to introverts everywhere I see you coming my way and I realize it is inevitable, this obligatory encounter that is as joyous as marriage counseling. Hallways, offices, and doors laugh at me from a distance, condemning me to meaningless interaction, forced fakeness, compulsory conversation. Escape is not an option this time. And it happens. Your pace slows, we make eye contact and smile. Just. Keep. Walking Don’t completely stop. But you do. “I’m so glad it’s Friday! How are you?” What do I even say. Energy and motivation drain from my veins. Annoyed. But, I’ll play. With pretend purpose we pause long enough to say nothing. Yes, words echoed off the walls and friendly laughter fooled them all. But what was shared? Five minutes felt like fifty. And now I need to sit down, alone and think. 03/10/2017
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AuthorFrom St. Louis, MO, Stephanie De los Santos is a mom, educator, poet, child advocate, photographer, world traveler, and linguist. Archives
March 2018
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