Lost - an introvert in a crowd

by Cheryl Merrick
Invited to a social
just to be a part of the crowd
invigorating the extroverts,
I feel lonely, tired, and lost.

I feel painfully invisible
amid the crowd.
I feel like the soft music of a wind chime
lost in the blaring of a band;
like a delicate pastel painting
washed out in harsh light; 
like hushed country twilight
disturbed by garish partying, 
like gentle candle glow
obliterated in flood lights.

My voice drowned out
by superficial chatter,
my identity is lost in the crowd. 

written April, 24, 2017

Hoops

by Cheryl Merrick

Accepting their
self-proclaimed
declaration
of requisites
to my future happiness,
I reluctantly jumped
through
their hoops.

Now aware of
who I am,
my talents,
and what I want
to accomplish,
I confidently walk
my own path
and simply
step around
the hoops.