We spoke the King's English
to talk to everyone but
each other
instead we...

we apologized
in little blue boxes
over breakfast
cutting silence like glass
with diamonds that sparkle
and make me look like
we are perfect

putting on heirs
of the emotional kind
like we even knew what
whole
looked like...

tears shed only
in the mist
of Oscar worthy performance
blow ups where no one can see
do we hug
cry together
and never for too long
so not to smudge the make-up
do we embrace

not us
we speak, live, breathe
wasp
buzzing around busy
as if anything
were more important
than the other
so not to have to
feel for the other
on our sleeves -
might stain
pain

no
no
no

rather we
send texts and emails
about love
and never say so
assuming is easier
that the last trip to
Saks said so
in case the silence
cut by the swiping
of limitless plastic
got lost in translation

this is who we are

we shop for the finest shoes,
clothes, jewels, and appliances
without a word to the wise spoken
they come in cards...

this is who we are

we drink together and
sit watching to see
who swallowed their troubles
first
but dare not up chuck
accidently
and say what's being
pushed back down
deep within...

this is who we are

we play Scrabble
only to prove
we know the words
we never say
more than just well

this is who we are

always ready to sting
never ready to settle
the only sound
the hissing of furiously fluttering
wings while we
walk around this house
wasping
until the time is up
on this visit

until
it's time
to do it all
again