we are the mediocre
we are the many
sullen sighs
the squeaky shifts of chairs
the speaker's interruption
we are
the stale coffee in conference halls,
the sagging paper walls,
the meeting six minutes over time
we are the good-enough,
the unspoken concerns,
the questions half-answered,
the email unread
we are sufficiency's substitute
why am i here?
of what good do I contribute?
each bright idea is misery to me,
each connection work--
let me alone!
shut me up in my box!
let me fulfill my orders
& end my day in peace!
leave me to my ignorance!
don't think twice of my sayings,
but let them sink in silent disagreement
leave this cloth over my eyes,
let this light never reach me!
is this the truth everyone quietly swallowed,
this weary acceptance of the unchanging world,
better to never face the gray?
or if I open these eyes again,
will I see green I once knew?