even the word awkward
is awkward
it reminds me always
of ostriches with their
long gangly pink legs
beneath oversized black eggs of bodies

cartoon characters that somehow
escaped the page

awkward are those dreams
where you show up somewhere
inappropriate, naked
for no good reason

the times you open your
mouth to speak
before having thought about
those words you just uttered

sometimes silence is awkward
when you're not sure what to say
the feelings too big, or
platitudes just won't do
and you lack originality

most awkward of all, though,
I think
is when you bit the bullet
and did send that email

your heart in your throat
only to hear nothing back
not a word or a whisper
not one peep

11/21/2007

Posted on 11/21/2007
Copyright © 2024 Gira Bryant