I pretend not to notice
their eyes are
elsewhere
studying the floor
as I approach
I pretend not to care
absence of a
friendly nod, a smile,
just something to
acknowledge Iโm
actually there
I pretend not to know
people talking
spreading lies
as oil on water
sharpened knives
cutting deep
without visible
tissue scarring
I pretend all is good
throughout the day
trying hard to make
the day last
longer, the night
gets shorter as the
fog grows thicker and
the ice melts quicker
I pretend
as long as
I can
