Tessa Renken
I sit in public spaces
where someone might see
and take note of me.
bestow upon me some grand importance.
And when they pass
their eyes meeting mine,
I feel shame for deceiving them.
Thinking myself worthy of their time.
I am disappointed when some man or woman
I have seen but once or twice
does not stop and talk or
smile at me with understanding.
Oh, how lovely it would be
to be looked at and seen.
But even then,
If they did approach to talk
I would dismiss my existence
as an inconvenience,
Bottle up my meaning
and present myself as the fool
I have constructed of myself.