There are too many distractions
To draw my eyes and ears
Away from the words on
The page in front of me.

So many overheard halves of
Conversations; so many
People talking alone rather than
To one another, sharing secrets
With close friends
And people like me who have
No one to talk to, so
Cannot avoid listening.

There is still fascination in
The over familiar: although
I know this road so well
I no longer need look,
Somehow I cannot stop myself.
I am overcome by a part founded,
Part irrational fear that
I may miss something important
If my gaze remains behind
The seat in front of me.

All these unfamiliar faces,
Somehow never anything like
Anyone I've seen before,
Are far too interesting
Simply to ignore; they will
Be gone from my life in
Half an hour, but the words
Will still be where I
Left them.

They can wait until they
Cast their own limelight,
But for now there is
Too much to outshine them.

02/10/2006

Posted on 02/14/2006
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