They sit

in the dark

& crowded room,

hip-to-hip-to-hip &

shoulder-to-shoulder,

hunched ‘round the tv’s

flicker & flutter of half-light

in silence.

Except

the one who

sits beyond the

spasm of shadow

outside that too-small

space.

Down

a narrow hall

in a chair ill-suited to

its full-sized occupant,

whose gray-wool jacket & pants

likewise strain to contain their wearer’s

size.

Despite

such details —

too-small-chair & -suit of clothes –

that one maintains a calm

& enviable

ease.

— C.Birde, 11/17