I’m handicapped by etiquette
hog-tied to the falseness
of its swollen barren belly.
From time of understanding words
drilled into my head were these
“Mind your manners, child.”
My playmates were spontaneous
in the moment, whole
I was to the side of things
punctuating pauses with
“please” and “thank you”
And like Red Riding Hood
“What a nice house you have”
“What a delicious dinner that was”
to the point where I never fully saw
never completely savored
Editorializing, summing up
I was the last to leave
with the most words said
the fewest feelings expressed
the fewest feelings expressed
I’m handicapped by etiquette
Thank you for listening.
© 2009 Barbara Moore
Here and Now 2009