Ground

small awkward pause before glancing away.
a feigned cough, and clearing of throat.
a little shift to the side of the seat.
in a library, in a zoom meeting. in a gym,
there’s a paper cut for every encounter.
is it the smell? is it the look? is it the wording?
a thought chews on another thought.
I wondered what makes a good sound,
but then I realized it didn’t matter at all
if you lose your ground.

6.8.2022