I PRETEND
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 I’m 
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
