20th Entry

Glancing

They laughed away and
smiled the same, there's
no sign
no change
no tells of any difference -- just as I had left it.
There seems no
need to pro
tect it.

I listened and I
laughed
at jokes and
no one hears.
I am glad
but feel empty
that no one wished me there.

They said the Hi-s and Bye-s and
argued what had to be argued,
blamed what had to be blamed.
They unwrapped all their newest stories,
discussed all the latest headlines,

not a mention of my name.