Working Girl

You’re not to worry about me
‘cause I’m steadfast and I’m true.
I strut, about my business
like I knew what it was I do.
I’m always headed somewhere,
steely flint and set my gaze;
there’ll be a frenzy of action
that fills my hours and days.

I speak with singsong archness
about anything in the world
I act as though I’m above it,
You’ll think “Sassy, smart, that girl!”
But truly I am speechless
when I’m yabbing on the phone;
in a crowd I'd be in terror
that I’m really all alone.

I grip your hand and pump it,
frenzy mistaken for fun.
You wouldn’t clock the clinging,
or my readiness to run.
As the daily grind is ousted,
all masks can now be shed;
I’ll drop the animation
of pretending I'm not dead.