The Quiet Middle

I am right here.
I am standing in the light,
listening to the voices
bounce off the walls.

Everyone is talking at once.
They are sharing stories
and catching their breath between laughs.
I try to find a gap to step through,
but the circle stays closed.

It is a lonely thing,
to have words in your throat
and nowhere for them to go.

I am looking at my hands.
I am looking at the floor.
I am waiting for someone
to look at me
and realize I’ve been gone
this whole time.