I feel your gaze
Tracing the outlines of my face
As I turn page after page
Of the book
That I now cannot
Take in a word of.
Instead I pretend
That I'm still
Absorbed in the words
While simultaneously
Running my tongue
Over my lips
To make them shine
And sitting up straighter.
I wonder if your observations
Are of disdain, curiosity
Or even admiration.
I pretend they are
And let myself feel beautiful
And powerful
For a minute at least.