The Introvert

A poem about being an introvert. I'm sure a few of you can relate

For those who run off at the mouth 

and don't say anything 

For everyone who can't shut up 

About their own brass ring 

I like to think before I speak 

My tongue will stay inert

Neither shy nor antisocial 

I'm just an introvert 

So please respect my privacy 

and don't be so surprised 

If I'm out too long in public 

I start to agonize

and no I don't want your advice

for my persona's quirk 

There's not a damn thing wrong with me 

I'm just an introvert 

My silence can intimidate 

because I'm super sized 

Those stupid heavy weights I lift 

They make me feel alive 

Don't embarrass me in public 

Beware the words you blurt 

I'm hearing everything you say

cause I'm an introvert 

I need some time to be alone 

so I can decompress 

Even the chosen few I love 

can cause me huge distress

I may look bored with everything 

I'm focused and alert 

Don't play me for an imbecile 

cause I'm an introvert 

So no I'm not a chatter box

The small talk I just can't

If the talk has meaning to me 

I'll go off on a rant 

It's best if you keep quiet now 

I'm ready to assert 

When I talk you better listen 

Cause I'm an introvert 

Author's Note

A typical Conversation with my girlfriend is 90-10 in that she does 90% of the talking. Unless it's something important to me and she's since learned to keep quite until I run out of steam. She's also learned my need for alone time isn't about her, why I only have a few close friends (and why all but one of them is a Marine) and why I often respond with one word or less to a lot of questions about my inner self. Christ you people on the WC know more about me from reading my poetry than most of the people in my real life do and most of them don't even know I write poetry. You should feel honored. Well, maybe just a little.

Reviews

[Tai Ryens]

Mm, I'm quite the same way. I detest small talk and am known for engaging in no conversation lest it contains a certain passion that most people lack in their moments with others. I always find myself so dishearteningly distinct from a majority of my surroundings that I do not find it very difficult to disassociate myself from it. And, at times, interaction just becomes so agonizingly unbearable that I actually go out of my way to find solace somewhere away from the gathering.
We're certainly honored that you share your poems with us, thank you. Well done, I enjoyed and could empathize with this.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Tai

[Baby Ricochet]

Tai my lad, you're obviously a very intelligent kid. I'd imagine typical daily conversation bores you to no end and it's likely you have no patience for stupid people and as much as I hate to admit it, the world is full of stupid people.

[Tai Ryens]

I'm flattered,aha! Perhaps not intelligent per se, but rather well-educated. And you're correct in the way typical conversation bores me; I don't care for sports, school/work, nor the weather, but I'm always open to debate on any topic I've brushed.
You've got it right, the world's full of stupid people, that's no question, aha.
Again, thank you, I'm flattered by the thought, and you've a well written poem on your hands (paper?).

[Baby Ricochet]

My line to someone who tries to talk sports with me is "Bro the only thing I'd be interested in at a game is the cheerleaders." That usually gets a laugh and the subject dropped.

[Tai Ryens]

That's actually quite clever, I'm stealing that, aha.

[Cassie]

wow!!!! this is among my best of you, yes am an introvert too, I like that part u said, I like to think before I speak, early in marriage, I fought with my hubby when i kept quite coz he thought i was snubbing him. I like being an introvert, I see we are many. you nailed this right. Now shelved

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Cassie

[Inda]

Great piece that captures just what it means to be an introvert, im not an introvert; quite the chatterbox indeed. Nice one Ricochet!

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Inda

[Pax]

made me smile, you know my friend, I never knew you as an introvert it feels different in the way you write your thoughts. Maybe words are just words, our thoughts is different from our actions. I did a research in the net before to where I really do belong, either introvert or extrovert. And as I dig more about it, I did fall in-between the two, they call it: ambivert or Ambiversion. I never knew such term exist, because I thought I was an introvert, because every summer before I never go out unless invited. If there is no invitation, I never go out, I just stay at home to paint and draw. It was my escape to keep at bay.

This piece is really good and the list above, somehow I could relate so well. I am not good under pressure, so time to think is a must. And I really hate being embarrassed in public, I had been few many times before, those bullies, makes me cower away from many crowd, so in the end I had few friends, and I chose them wisely. Respect is the one and only have great value to me, I say this: if you don’t respect me as a person and as who I am, then you don’t deserved my attention and respect.

Now I think that Introvert persons, loves silences, peace of mind… I do too, because being introvert I think has a strong mind, with a lot of thoughts in silences. Perhaps in silences we speak more than our action. Maybe that is a good trait because when you speak up, you are sure enough that your words is dignified already, because it is already been filter by our millions of screaming thoughts.

I like this piece my friend…

[Baby Ricochet]

Well, I'm not shy or antisocial. I do like people and I do like to go out, just not for very long. I have been known to strike up conversations with strangers (particularly girls) and I'm quick with the wise cracks. I read there's such a thing as outgoing introverts and shy extroverts. I can be pretty outgoing if I want to be but in the end I just wanna go home. I'd much rather spend time with my just one or two people than a party any day

[Pax]

now that I have think about it my friend, it all comes with a choice... we mingle because we want to or we don't want to becuase we choose to... and so on... it all depends on our nature, and human nature can be change-able if we want it, that is why maybe our nature at times are really unpredictable. and so that's it, you are very welcome my friend.

[Pryde Foltz]

Yes … it can be confusing as I am not shy, anti-social and love to talk about certain themes, but I need a lot of down time and not necessarily a lot of face-to-face. Great write, baby.

[Baby Ricochet]

For sure. I prefer texting to talking but if I gotta I gotta