Conversation

like a talking doll that sits on a shelf
in a room full of dollies that keep
their thoughts to themselves and can close their eyes

because they were made that way
at the factory I constantly
adjust to the fact that if I want

a conversation that does not end
it's all up to me to be my own friend
and/or to talk to fantastic God Almighty.

it's not so bad

because everything I think of to say
is what I really want to say
and I will not roll my eyes at me

or show signs of restlessness because
I want to get free from the conversation.
I have SOOOO much to do.

I wonder if other people feel like me sometimes

do you

where you can't get your words in edgewise
or really anywhere and so will our thoughts
grow roots deeper and deeper and

day by day unto our very core somewhat in
the way we used to think that by digging a hole
deep enough in the backyard

we might come up on the other side
and reach clear through to exotic China.

mary angela douglas 12 august 2019