Three Men Talking at a Fence Line

A Poem by mathiasthom

Three neighborhood men
talking at a fence line
never once actually giving me the time
must be some characteristic
that I somehow lack
watching this back
waiting for an attack
this is a civilized society
but I've never seemed to be
the typical variety
treating me with kid gloves again
dispense with the niceties
only wanted a friend
not someone clinging to my back side
telling me all I wanted to hear
then trying to force a ride
like some hustling has-been

Three neighborhood men
standing at a fence line
wondering about my intentions
as I walk the dogs nearby
it's not another paranoiac rant
feeling those eyes
burning invisible holes
trying to size me up
looking for a soul
never finding common ground
so they ignore my presence
whenever I'm around
hearing second hand stories
and cast off half truths
that honestly went nowhere
yet still looking for a glimmer of recognition
from within these wounded eyes