Sympathetic

We volley with sketchy returns
each moment of empathy mirrored
in cough or laugh,
toothy smile or nod
to prod hundreds of
muscles in chase,
scrambling for that
elusive reciprocal
that binds us in effort,

a hiccup of reactive
responses contrary
to conscience or will
to fill yawning mendacity
while locking journeys
in mutual discord
behind the mask
of ordinary compassion
banishing inner calm.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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