The Art of Aborting Conversation

How to become divided states. "Evil is the force that believes its knowledge is complete.” Jordan Peterson

There are those who are at home in their skin.

Who will sit beside you and talk with you.

So, too, are there the nervous ones aware

of only half themselves, and these will talk

at you. They are generous with opinion plain

and, just the same as Christmas day spent at

Nonna’s table, they are proud to make your

belly bulge on everything you wanted less...

You can complain at them: they understand

the language clear enough. It won’t change a

jot or tittle, but you’ll be familiar

still, and that is the most important thing.

 

To score the high honour of forfeiting

this sacred position at the table,

well...you will have to sit beside someone,

at home in your own skin, and commit the

God-awful offence of talking with them.

You will have peeled the husks from your ears and

opened there the walls around yourself

to listen. That is, to really listen.

As in consider these opinions plain

and take them inside yourself: it doesn’t

hurt to be hospitable to others.

After all, are we not both brothers come

to share the same outrageous occasion?

Is it not the same rain that falls on us?

 

Anyhow, merry Christmas to you, too.

Author's Note

Inspired by too many actual events.

Reviews

[John]

I agree with everything said here - so much hangs on those prepositions at and to. I can't think of anything more discouraging than having to engage with someone who has made up their mind about everything. It does tend to make what you have to say entirety superfluous. Christmas is well described as that outrageous occasion.

[charlie]

Yes: Christmas - or life in general. :) Thank you for taking time here, John.

[Dave Brown]

I have to laugh at your work, not at you but at me, because I can rarely understand where you are going but I sort of relate to this piece
I am not a conversationalist and am usually talked to, which for some reason, I am comfortable with, but the end result seems to be a lack of interest in socializing.
You certainly wont get many reviews from me but I do read
Dave

[charlie]

Wow, thanks! You're a real sweetheart, shorty. :)

[Beccy]

And thank you for the chance to read your work.

Beccy.

[Lorry]

Yup, those that say much and nothing at the same time, thinking everything is about them, while using a thousand words when two could have done. I....(wait a minute, is this about me?) :)
It can be a never ending cycle when someone takes over a conversation. They should really take a hint from the prolonged silences, but they don't and just fill them with more brain dribble.
Did I ever tell you about the time I tried to find out how many M&M's it would take to choke a kestrel?
Okay, i'll shut up now :)

[Beccy]

I mostly prefer the sound of silence to the pointless bleating of someone talking at me. An even greater dislike however, I reserve for those who allow me to get a few words in, then carry on where they left off! (Those that hear without listening as that incredible poet Paul Simon wrote.)

Several years ago now, I sat in the public gallery of the house of Commons during Prime Minister's questions. It left me in great despair.

Great title, witty and thoroughly enjoyable poem.

Beccy.

[charlie]

I have visited Parliament one time, too. Isn't it atrocious.

Thank you for your encouraging words, Beccy.

[phill..m]

Was it not Julian the apostate goal to divide and rule, set one against
the other?. Great write, regards,Phill.

[charlie]

Thanks, Phill. I'm not familiar with Julian the apostate. (there's something about Roman history which suppresses my reading appetite).

[phill..m]

Me too,it's boring,Phill.