By Eric, thenuttman@aol.com
Date: 10 October 2000

Her manner, mild

my head rests, flush against the tabletop
fingers laid out neatly on the keyboard, like tomorrow's attire
there appears to be that wrinkle in time hovering over my head
just enough to discourage me, but not enough to drive me insane

my head slightly lifts, to a footstep awakening
quickly position my hands in the lack-of-confidence stance
covering half of my face is just enough to disappear
and her eyes are all too bright for mine, so I look away

she enters the room casually or quickly, depending on your arrangement
glances past me to the seat at the far corner and glides towards her destination
her feet are silent, her manner, mild, and her hair waves in the gusts of her own speed
as soon as she completes her tasks, she briskly leaves the room, without giving me a second thought
just enough to discourage me, but not enough to drive me....patient

my eyes are widening as the room grows dark, gain bearings on this place
the padding that surrounds me like a cage, could be mistaken for a pillow
yes...wall to wall pillow, and everyone on the outside, well, they are simply fools for not joining me
she wasn't afraid, she was kindly doing her duty
putting me back inside my constant embrace, with myself
my arms, now folded and wrapped tightly to my side, ahh yes, someone loves me, it's me, it's me

that woman
just enough to discourage me
and more than enough to drive me insane

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