small talk and chit chat

tell me  about you, she says.

over drinks.

at the high round table.

who are you?

what are you all about?

kids, work, marriages?

i sigh.

i exhale.

i've got nothing.

can't we just sit here

and pretend this is going

somewhere? i tell her.

leave it at that?

we'll eat, we'll have a drink

or two, some laughs.

i'll walk you to your car,

we'll pat

each other on the back

and we'll never see or talk

again.

let's just keep it

with small talk, chit chat.