My Bashful Ego

Monday morning
Sitting at my desk
The mutual admiration society arrive
Gathering behind me

Following our un-spoken rule
I don’t speak to them...
And they don’t speak to me

The Weekend fables begin:

Drinking

Women

Parties

Then one speaks of writing a poem...

My ears prick up

As the others listen in awe
Time stands still
His new found sport
Psalms of pain and adversity
Bathing in admiration

My customary bashful ego musters a bravery never experienced before
Banging and crashing for freedom
The words are independent in their escape...

“I... write... poetry...”

They all stare at me... “What?”

Mouth dry

Tumbleweed rolling effortlessly across the office...

“I write poetry”

“Who?”

“You?”

They wonder off and stand by the coffee machine
giggling like children

I pick up my damaged ego and put it back into its box

It’s safe there!