You see them, perhaps, on the street,
friends, acquaintances of yours for long or brief.
You stop to greet,
as you think this could be quite a treat.
Or this could simply be a weekly, monthly call.
You think to share news of one and all.
No matter!
They quickly say hello or hi or hey,
followed by “how are you” or “how’s your day.”
You begin to answer like you should,
with a “things are fine,” or depending, …“not-so-good.”
Your tale could be a happy one or some life changing woe.
No matter. They’ll never know.
Because as you get a first word out,
they launch their news and stories almost with a shout.
Clearly no interest in what you have to say
about your health, you home, your job, your day.
And so they talk, they rant and rail,
providing you with each and all details,
of their lives and all their goings to and fro,
of people, places, you don’t know or really want to know.
For example, you might learn about the sister,
of the friend of a cousin of some mister,
from a committee on which they sat.
You’ll learn quite quickly, her age; perhaps her weight and height; and what
she feeds her cat.
Shortly you will know whom she married and divorced; pounds lost or gained;
her relatives abroad and, at some meeting, exactly whom she blamed.
Corrections, addendums and all needed dates will be added last,
though nothing will be offered fast.
Then, and only then, the story of import will unfold.
Again, all details you will be told.
When they take a breath,
there’s not a second left.
They have to go,
but first they add “great talking to you today!”
Only in truth you’ve never really said a word or had a say.
Oh, yes, there were your oohs and aahs, you added on the way,
but never was the talk with you or of your day.
Instead it really was a ‘talk- at!’
Spare us, please, this type of ‘one side-chat.’
Don’t ask us something if you really care not to know,
or have far more interested in your own little private show.
It makes us want to seek
our friends who want to listen as well as speak,
who share a give and take
with interest and concern, that’s never fake!