Small Talk

My how things get stranger

These inherited behaviors

I couldn't say where we got 'em.

And i am as much a product as the remainder

Of all the advice of the strangers

That i never wanted.



As concerned as we were when we learned

How things could turn around

I think we preferred the words we heard about

To the ones we're exposed to

Though i have heard some things about a million times

I still find not a lot to respond to...



So we don't talk

Though it seems to be

The one true cure for the disease

That tears relationships apart

Though you'll say something like

"how's it going"

Watch me cringe

I never want to hear those words again



And when i said "shut up,"

I just couldn't stand

To talk through the white noise again

When you had no idea how much

It burns me to hear you say

"hey how are you"

What's that mean?

Oh sad silent human beings,

Your immortal trait,

Your most tragic flaw.