Lost in the Crowd

Lost in the crowd
Out of my natural surroundings
Out of my home
Out of my neighborhood
At a busy cafe
Surrounded by business people
On their lunch break
I’m unmoored
Uncertain of conventions
Where do I order my food?
Do I pay first?
Where do I stand to wait?
So many people
What should I do?
Overwhelmed
Feel out of it
Freaking out inside
Looking okay on the outside
Maybe – maybe not
Inside screaming
LET ME OUT OF HERE
Too loud
Too chaotic
Too crowded
Wish I had indulged
Gone to the hotel restaurant
Been waited on
Finally I got my food
Sat in the corner
In the spot I had scoped out
Music and voices clamor
Still, as I sit and eat, I shake
Pick at my salad
Then rush back out
To fresh air and open space