I do not feel lonely
as I sit in the far corner of the room
surrounded by smiling faces
friends talking and sharing
unnoticed of me
...
I do not feel lonely
as I sit in the desk far from others
with a barricade of empty desks
they keep me
(at bay, calm, safe)
...
But when I lay my head down
I'm not tuning them out
I'm studying them
I hear every little word
...
I peak through my clasped arms
analyzing their expressions
and I wonder
can they feel this
this thing that cultivates me
...
But a part of me
knows they can't
...
Yet another part of me
questions
"If no one can notice you
are you really even there?"
...
Is that why
I don't feel lonely