We Pretend Not to Notice
by John Herlihy
We pretend not to notice certain things,
Other things we pretend not to care.
Just take it all in whatever life brings,
Protected by a wink and a prayer.
I go around hoping no one will notice,
My crisp white shirt worn without flare.
Just another weed in a pond amid lotus,
People walk by without needing to stare.
At a party I always wear something bland.
As a protection against the outer world,
No flamboyant style inviting a reprimand.
All of my banners I keep tightly furled,
Attending to business never to be noticed.
Still hoping, just a little, someone will care,
- - - - -
Copyright ©John Herlihy
Sunday 5 October 2025
Share
Print
Save
Follow
What I wear generally meets the of group that I'm joining. In your case, you may be seeking something that wouldn't be noticed. I guess my wearing what everyone else is wearing does the same thing.
The way to break that feeling of not being noticed, would be to be rude enough to interrupt someone else's conversation and take it over. But I would never do that and I don't think you would either from your poem.
Ron
At first reminded me of the lonely Primrose popping up in the trash filled edges of the roadway as a sign of nature trying hard not to give up.
Rebecca
"At a party I always wear something bland.
As a protection against the outer world,
No flamboyant style inviting a reprimand." Try sharing that with am average teen or 20s male or female and there most likely would be a blank stare and either an expression or words to the effect: "You're a loser, man." I know we both share a common mindset: great to have arrived where we're supposed to be.