I Left My Body at Hello

_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ I step outside, hoodie low, brain on mute, soul on slow Trash bag swinging, winter air, bad luck spawns, there you go It’s you again, mouth already running laps Words spilling, drilling, killing every silent gap “Hi how are you?” I say “fine” like a lie on loop You say names, dates, updates, horoscope soup Cat is sick, cousin moved, weather feels strange I nod like a bobblehead trapped in a social exchange Smile, nod, breathe, freeze, plan my escape Counting cracks in the pavement, praying for fate Keys in hand, phone fake rings, oh what a shame I forgot I don’t have friends, still play the game _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ I’m shrinking, blinking, thinking “please not today” My soul left my body three sentences away _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ You talk, I drift, I fade, I slip You laugh, I nod, my patience rips I’m polite, I’m kind, I’m dying inside Stuck hostage to vowels I never invited You talk, I stall, I rot, I wait My will to live is running late I smile sweet with panic eyes Dreaming of being hit by time _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ You pivot topics like a pro, zero breath, full flow From parking rules to childhood trauma I don’t need to know Your life’s a podcast I didn’t subscribe Yet here I am, trapped in episode five You lean in close, I lean away We’re doing this awkward social ballet I hum “mm-hmm”, you hear “go on” This is how good intentions go wrong I fantasize about sudden rain Or fake phone calls, minor pain A meteor, a rapture sign Anything to cut this line _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ I’m not rude, I’m just tired Of being hired as your audience choir _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._ You talk, I drift, I fade, I slip I leave my body mid-sentence split I wave goodbye in my head ten times While you’re still circling the same damn lines I finally flee, heart racing fast Free at last, but socially gassed Back indoors, safe, alone, relieved Still hearing you… talking… in my dreams _.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._👉😑👈_.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._