Into The Enemy Territory

Before me
Stood four columns of tables
On either side
Chairs lined the tables
Stood empty
But promised
Quickly to be filled.

Almost magically
People started to appear
Filling out the chairs
With a Styrofoam cup
Of coffee or tea.

As the noon hour
Fast approaches
A hush fills the room
With expectation
Of the coming meal
At the local Salvation Army.

As various levels of society
From the welfare receiptants
To businessmen
Often would not be seen
Yet here they sat
Intermixing with each other
To share a common meal
Together.

You must understand
For me
To place myself
Into a crowded situation
Like this.

Take an extraordinary effort
On my part
As I tend to suffer  
Badly from agoraphobia
Often leading to
Panic/anxiety attacks.

Silently
I ate my vegetarian meal
Eyes rarely
Leaving the plate
As the sound of people
Talking with each other
Filled the room.

Personally
I just wanted
The lunch
Over.

Allowing me
To go back and enjoy
My peace and quiet.

Do not get me wrong
I did enjoy my meal
And for the most part
Had a nice time
Just wish for more space
Between each sitting.

Author's Note

I got through the entire meal, without experiencing a panic/anxiety attack, which is a huge accomplistment for me.