Intro

I was never good at talking to people
I seem to have acquired a mild stutter
Which flares up when passionately
Raving
About what shoulda,
Coulda, woulda
been done
Had it not happened the way it did.

I was never good at talking to people
So I chose to listen instead
I chose to listen
And people kept talking to me
They would occasionally ask my opinion.
And I’d smile and nod.
And offer clever one-liners that made them smile
Or shake their sorry heads.

I was never good at talking to people
Everyone else had something better to say.
Everyone else always knew what to say
At any given time
And besides
Everything I could ever say
Had already been said.

I was never good at talking to people
In class
My participation grades
Non existent
Zero, null, nichts
Although the rare
compassionate teacher
Would sometimes acknowledge me
Sitting in the back of the classroom.
Nodding and smiling
Taking copious notes
And count that as satisfactory participation.

I was never good at talking to people.
But now I try.
Awkwardly stumbling over words words words.
Trying to find the most concise way to
Elegantly say
What I need to say

But I was never good at talking to people
So I’ll write it down instead.
Here’s hoping you’ll listen.

Cheers.