Let's Play Pretend

He expounds his writing experience to the class, pausing unnecessarily,

Tones his voice, shifts his leg, downplays ‘Like, it’s no big deal, really.’

Oh but really, it is a big deal, to you,

And that is okay,

To celebrate the ego.

Call yourself confident and assured, insecurity a foreign thing,

You in a white pencil skirt, purple top, white purse, interesting combination,

So someone broke into my closet, to compare, to prove,

To very confidently prove that you cannot pull it off like me

And always knew it.

I lean back, stretch arms out, widely, obnoxiously,

Express discontent at this drawn-out class.

She leans back, stretches arms out, widely, not as obnoxiously,

Express discontent at my discontinued interest in her.

You know where I live, babe.

Woozy, attemptingly seductive eyes, she wobbles,

Lean against pool table next to me, looking straight ahead,

Place hand next to mine, barely touching but touching,

Alcohol as absolution from morning-after sins,

That is not going in my bed.

He feels the need to juggle one too many balls,

To fill the empty crevices left by his own,

From where stemmed platitudes for might and strength?

Small and weak being quaint and endearing,

I’d welcome that into my bed.