Alone at Lunch

Alone. I sit quietly alone.
A whir of conversations.
The clink and clank
Of clamouring sounds.

A furtive glance.
A quick acknowledgement.
I'm so depressed,
She invitingly sighs
To me or to herself.

More boldness is required.
Demonstrate some
Creative control of life.
I am alone,
But lonely I am not.

I'm expressing myself
In verse and rhyme.
You are not excluded by me,
But by your own volition.

You organize to leave.
I look to smile
And thank you
For your inspiration.

I find you closed
And turned away.

I pray you find
Your inner peace
To overcome your fears
And apprehensions.

Good bye
And thank you,
Anyway.

December, 1980