Spending time on your own
creates tension
when you then
get to spend time with others
loss of expectations
about what level of connection
is necessary
feeling somehow
less is good
more not needed
& then
overthinking
do I fit in?
have I given enough?
too much?
humanity becomes a chore
if you open up
means to engage in whatever
they may throw your way
having to stretch
take on their
sad, bad, mad
stories
& god you’ve heard
known all of these yourself
in the centuries of pain
honest living brings
there is no competition here
all hold weight
all a saddening bore
when power is not in your hands
to change
alleviate
anything
& that alone
is reason
enough to withdraw
