Are There Any Safe Topics Left

I consider myself gifted in the art of conversation, It is a well-established fact, That there are few who can avoid making my conversations reciprocal, I can hold my own with the best of them. I carry memories of some life changing conversations into my old age, Some still make me chuckle, For some I had to dig deep to find the right words, And more often, than not, I did, Which gives me a sense of pride, I came up with some tall stories, And the bragging rights that went with them. My jokes seldom fell flat. I never lost a friend during the course of a conversation. Alas opportunities for spreading my good cheer, Are now few and far between, Lighting up a room fraught with danger, People no longer fishing for compliments, Trawling instead for words that sting, Words that entrap, Words that may contain poison, Especially words that can bring down, Anyone they take a dislike to. Is it any wonder that my tongue is now riddled with bite marks? And my topics for conversation now restricted, My words chosen more carefully. Though old habits do die hard, And I still manage to bend a few ears every now and then, As there are still some who seek out good conversation, And take words and people at face value. Long may they remain vocal.