I’m trying to talk,

you look at your watch.

I want your time

but you’re far too cross.

Those lines on your forehead

show you’re far too busy

to raise your glance or

heed the neediest me.

I pluck up some puff

to express how I feel

but your eyes become glazed.

My spine loses its steel.

So what I really want to say

feels unworthy, goes unsaid.

All I want’s a shred of praise

But I flush with shame instead.

I never was, and won’t ever be

enough to be front of mind.

The words I speak to you are mute.

By dismissal I’m undermined.

So I stop showing myself out loud

The treasure is hidden deep.

It’s only my words that know the secrets

my sorry heart’s been forced to keep.