97 Poem by RIC BASTASA

even on the late hour of the night

even when late,
try getting in, they will not notice, you are not famous,
try being a nobody
and they won't bother, so get inside the room and pretend
you are not a part of them in this
discussion,
behave like you are the waiter bringing them a glass
of water,
no excuses this time, do not talk, do not bother them,
and they too will not bother you,
try being nothing
just be the ordinary you, and they will not notice,
even on the late hour of this night
they still have eyes only for themselves
within their circle
and you are still an outcast, simply because from the very
first day of this meeting
you are just being yourself
and you remain being so,
you have not become like them,
mimicking each other
into conformity
for fear of rejection, so at this hour of the night when they seem
to enjoy each other's likeness
get inside,
just be yourself and take your own kind of drink
your self-identity
your name that they will never know
when tomorrow
you will soon part and they will be themselves again
alone.