Attention

A Poem

Photo by sergio souza from Pexels

attention

oh no, what’s that like?

sweat builds, heart races —

I don’t think I like this at all.

attention

the squirming feeling when I was on stage,

the moments when I spoke in a microphone,

the weight of eyes pressing upon me.

attention

how you focus on her intently

as you moon over each other,

beers in hand, happiness secured?

attention

what I think I’d like, maybe,

if there were a choice in the matter —

if my face didn’t flush at every turn.

attention

“your wedding was beautiful,” I tell

the newly christened bride and groom

whose matching smiles share a secret

attention

oh no, my face is burning again

as my gaze wheels away from someone

who might have offered nice conversation.

attention

really, what’s that like?

hearts racing, sweat building —

I don’t think that’s in the cards for me.