2000/power

The people who work here
take part of their power from
moving through the place,
talking over their shoulders
on their way to a shelf.
Just as they do on his
favorite tv shows –
where people walk fast,
speaking in a glib banter
he likes.
It makes me nervous,
no one seems to be
paying attention.
It’s all about cool
which I never learned to do.
He does not move about much,
and talks less. I’ve wondered
if that’s the attraction.
I get an angry outburst
if I speak to him
when these shows are on.
Otherwise, our lives
lack the drama
of tv.

3/29/00