Routine.

I saw you down the street today

outside the bookstore

I pretended not to notice you

by making phone calls

to imaginary friends

and pacing up and down

cracked pavement

silently watching

your performance.

Surrounded by coworkers

you did your dance

twirling in and out

of happiness

tip toeing across

discontentment

always with a smile

and a flourish 

to please the

anxious audience.

Onlookers applaud

and colleagues are proud

of this feat of deception

performed in rhythm

to the sweet tune of

evasion from your life

desperate to be lived.