Sighing under my breath when
  They appear
I say home is where I’d like to be
  but I’m lying through my teeth
Anywhere else, I’d rather be
  than standing here, scanning,
maintaining smiles a plenty
When in my head, the marquee spins
  I DON’T CARE
about your benefits
about your money peeking from your pocket
about your cabinet installation
about what you spend a year
  I feign stabbing my eye socket
sliding my pointer finger across my throat
  wrapping both hands around it — choke me
  please, help me lose consciousness
so I may be excused from the hustle and
bustle and *******, I’m quitting this
  moment before my chest bursts with the
white hot intensity of condensed nerves and
pity when I look out before me and see
  strangers existing, constantly bewildered
  by everything, looking helpless, lost, frustrated
and the marquee spins
  I DON’T CARE
If I allow myself to connect
If I allow myself in their shoes
If I allow myself to care
  I would become
  one of Them
feeling helpless, lost, frustrated
and I would never be able to
maintain a smile or leave my bed