Crowded loneliness

                       They dance          I sit
          Their hands held high          My fingers clenching the temples of my lowered head
             Shouts of joy arise          Tears converge into two flowing cheek rivers
                    Such unity          I am on the outside
Sweating from movement          Surrounded by their heat
             Let us join hands          I must get out
                                               So I'm running
                                                         ­       Fleeing
                                                ­         Down the stairs, out the door
                      The slap of cold hits me like a body check, a reality check
                                And I know I will not turn back
              
                      If I'm going to be alone and outside
                                   **I will be so by choice.