#smalltalk
The bus stop is empty
again.
A gust of wind blows my hair across my eyes
"Quite cold out isn't it?"
I jump.
"Sorry, did I startle you?"
His eyes are blue.
No, one is brown.
He has heterochromia.
"No- um, I didn't see you,
Yeah, I suppose it is a bit cold"
He glances at my scrubs,
"Where are you headed this early?"
I give him a look.
“The hospital…”
He smirks.
"Isn't that your bus then."
A bus pulls out the stop
and speeds away
Wait-
"Oh shoot that is my bus!"
The stranger laughs,
his eyes crinkle at the sides.
"Well here’s my bus,
so I guess this is goodbye"
I sigh.
“Bye then.”
Pretty eyes.
Aug 18, 2025
Aug 18, 2025 at 12:53 PM UTC
Oh, last night, did you see
what happened to that bloke on TV?
Well I were shocked, it baffled me
anyway, got to go.
Saw the Doctor t'other day,
whatshername thinks one is gay,
His name? no, she didn't say,
Is that my bus?
His wife was out with him from work
always thought he was a berk
sits in the office, has a permanent smirk.
See you later.
Not got any news today
my gossipy friend has gone away
off to Spain on holiday
Never said goodbye.
Jul 5, 2025
Jul 5, 2025 at 5:28 PM UTC
Recycled conversations
won't ever save the world.
We need to stop recycling
and use more one-use words.
Jul 8, 2024
Jul 8, 2024 at 4:03 PM UTC
I have worked out small talk
two people ask questions
of each other, neither
want an answer to
and without listening
to what the other comes up with
think of the next manoeuvre
until they are locked
in meaningless conversation
that no one can break
like music, a symphony
of nonsense with the guy
on symbols waiting
to crash out at the end
May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024 at 5:39 PM UTC
when the sand fills,
and the hands of time
caresses you into submission,
freedom feels a little too
overrated a concept.
we are puppets
dangling at the side
of a building, waiting to
be taken off the clothesline
or by the wind—
both of which we know
we'd gladly take just
to end the discussion.
i am a firm believer
in whispers.
small talk isn't
too small for me.
i hold my words too close
to my chest i barely breathe
without them.
so now, as my eyes fail me,
i wish time will be so
kind enough to tell me
how all of this ends.
i do not want to suffer
more than i already do—
and i do not need
another lesson on how to
survive in this
god-forsaken life.
yet everyone feels
compelled to
give me one anyway.
Oct 23, 2023
Oct 23, 2023 at 5:12 PM UTC
People will keep talking
But I don't have to listen
Others will continue to expect
And define my existence
They will try to take away
What's left of my childlike innocence
And even then, the things I do
Are still none of their business
How can I feel okay?
When they become restless
From me not conforming to their way
They only see it as reckless
Their shallow mouths spew words
Bringing upon damage that is endless
With the naive intentions to help
Yet, why do I feel more helpless?
Childhood criticisms cling to me
Leaving me defenceless
Whenever the guards of my walls
Become tired and careless
I thought it'd be easier to live
If I was just passive and selfless
Until I was driven to the point
Where I couldn't tell what was precious
I have now accepted that it is okay
That I do not share the same ethics
The differences found in me
Should not make me so apologetic
Aug 17, 2019
Aug 17, 2019 at 3:05 AM UTC
I don’t know you
not really anyway
it’s small talk if not silence
but I do know that
you want to be reborn as flowing water
me as a ray of light
maybe
in another way
in another life
just maybe
we could learn to love each other
May 23, 2019
May 23, 2019 at 6:37 PM UTC
My thoughts get polluted in the short span
of time it takes them to run to my tongue.
Intent evaporates, I find myself
spewing banality with confidence.
Dubious sense of humour fails to land
a punch; I dodder past with a faux grin.
Finally it’s time to pass the baton
to another unwilling candidate.
I nod pleasantly as we continue
our dull charade of camaraderie.
Once upon a time being sociable
meant exchanging infrequent messages.
The small talk prattles on… I think about
the lost luxury of writing letters.
Apr 8, 2019
Apr 8, 2019 at 12:29 PM UTC
I fear living for someone
centring someone in my universe
I fear not not wanting to be alone
constant noise in my silence
I fear wasting my time on someone
putting my life on hold for them to leave
I fear a lifetime of small talk
being a product of their routines and races
I fear not finding belonging
not being in control
I fear the prison of my mind
never finding the person I don't fear with
I fear not being special in the insignificance
never being not afraid to be vulnerable
I fear only existing
Nov 10, 2018
Nov 10, 2018 at 4:44 PM UTC
I hate small talk
Although it's a start
It's always the same questions
Those questions beg similar answers
"How's your day"
"Do you like the weather"
I want big talk
Two intellectuals conversing
I want to talk about space
The intricacies of clouds
The beauty of the world
Or even controversies
Let's all take the time to move from mere small talk to big talk
Jul 11, 2018
Jul 11, 2018 at 5:59 PM UTC
Swerving in, I re-enter
A roundabout conversation
Driving mindless words
You make me flushed
It gives me a rush
As all of our cars
Scramble out of our garages
Directionless.
Jul 1, 2018
Jul 1, 2018 at 9:58 PM UTC
I do not say
What a day contains
The conversation dull
Though you may ask
I will pass
To speak would all be bull.
Jan 29, 2018
Jan 29, 2018 at 2:17 PM UTC
I don't judge you
out loud
I laugh when you want me to and
smile at convenient intervals and lulls in
conversation in
life
Jun 7, 2016
Jun 7, 2016 at 2:26 AM UTC
Chaos devours me;
let's small talk and pretend that
everything's fine.
Jun 21, 2016
Jun 21, 2016 at 8:20 PM UTC
Ignore the veiled murmur beneath
the social graces and party conversation
excuse this bland ****** arrangement
feigning interest in tales worn thin
cruising the same old Memorial Parkway.
This, and the embedded gravel
marking each grim rotation:
expectation
disappointment
anger
the weight of relentless perfection.
Jun 13, 2016
Jun 13, 2016 at 11:38 AM UTC
We communicate
Through weather pattern and change.
Love through jet stream line.
May 2, 2016
May 2, 2016 at 2:44 PM UTC
I'll meet you in Paris and we'll talk about the weather.
It's just small talk though-- something to fill the silence,
you'd think we'd know better.
Nov 30, 2015
Nov 30, 2015 at 1:09 PM UTC
i'm sick of having to initiate conversations
i'm sick of sending a 'hi' only to get a 'yeah im fine.'
i mean, i don't really mind that you don't care to reply
even a short little "and you?" or "how's your life?"
but, for god's sake, stop killing conversations
i'm the patron saint
of small talk and copper coins
biting lips and stretching for questions
that you won't bother to return the favor for.
i'm sick of initiating conversations,
of second-guessing and wondering
just exactly how annoying i must be,
constantly
sending you updates on what i'm thinking
but when you haven't been replying
it gets me hesitating.
i'm predictable at best
and i'm starting to think that you're discovering
how jaded being with me makes you feel.
i'm the same old story
the same old small talk
the patron saint of lying and faking
it.
i'm sick of losing friends
because my insecurities stop me from speaking
and they have too many other people to be seeing
to even worry about checking in on li'l ol' me.
i'm sick of stuttering my way through
conversations with people who don't give me
anything to say
how am i supposed to answer you
when you refuse to give me more than 3 words about your day?
thanks for the update,
three years late when
i'm finding out all the great things you've been doing
but i'm still the same
the patron saint of small talk again
stuck watching life happening
from behind my screen
maybe that's the real problem i've been having
everyone else is living
and i'm decomposing
i don't have the courage to step outside my home
but god, oh god, i'm sick of being stuck alone
May 9, 2015
May 9, 2015 at 1:02 AM UTC
I read somewhere the other day that small talk keeps the brain sharp,
So that's probably why I'm stupid
But I don't understand the fascination in needing a vacation and the weather, or where you bought your brand new ******* sweater.
I'm sorry I can't participate in your name brand conversation, but talking about your Michael khors watch just seems like such a bore.
What I really want to ask you is:
Have you ever screamed your lungs out on the top of a mountain?
Or have you ever tried to drown yourself in the shallow waters of a fountain,
Have you ever watched the sun spit out pieces of gold on a quiet little creek?
Tell me all the things that used to make you feel unique.
When was the last time you felt whole inside?
When was the last time you blatantly lied?
Who do you want to fall asleep next to every night?
Tell me what you think about our nation's lack of human rights.
How many weekends can you go not being sober?
Tell me what you really think about the boy who ******* you over.
Why are you so afraid?
Do you fear you'll explode like a grenade?
I feel like that sometimes.
But I know I'll never get anywhere if I hold it all inside
But your mother told you always be polite,
And never bother anyone with their personal insight
Religion, and politics, don't ask too much
For everyone may get into a fuss
So everyone walks around talking about things that don't matter,
With worlds as shattered as a broken wedding platter
Everyone wants to talk about what's on the outside, but some fear holds back the depths of our soul.
And finally when you're six feet under, you'll realize you've just been digging your own hole
Feb 16, 2014
Feb 16, 2014 at 11:51 PM UTC