At the After Work Event

standing in the back of the room
away from the buzz of networking
the chit chat and side glances
judging if I am worth talking to

here in theory
to meet people like me
but don’t see any
that are dreaming of poetry
and fire eating,
or worried about Nazis on the moon

spy a woman in black boots
and dream we elope
and leave this reception, this life
behind

sputter some more zombie work talk
drained glass, wet napkin in hand

leave as early as I can,
and savor the cold walk
alone

At the Convention Center

At the convention center

people wait

to start their day

smile and shake hands

and things are all O.K.

echoes in the large, cool rooms

as people mouth the lines

they need to speak

the trip justified

an expense account,

a line checked off

A life of unpacking

and catching the next plane:

awake, realize what you have

and dissipate this pain