I offer him a seat

against my better judgement

and best intention,

now talking to the elephant

that the others abstained to mention.

Turns out what this night needed

was an awkward social tension –

as they pretend to talk

and I pretend to listen

I await a well needed intervention.

And yet they go on pretending

that we aren’t holding their attention.

Watching them watching

I lose track of an answer

that is too late to question

so instead stare blankly

and smile hardly…

the bunch of cunts