Mackenzie Norman

no matter how many times i rehearse it in my head

i’ll know i’ll stand there and be absolutely 

speechless

i could think of every topic

every witty, charming line 

But i’ll stare there and be absolutely

speechless

All my lovely good intentions

Turn to weak and jumbled sentences

and i’ll just stay there and be absolutely

speechless

---

because no matter what I think

and no matter what I try

I’m not prepared for conversation

And I just can’t logic why 

I’ve acted every part

Tossed the banter back and forth 

Found every hidden deep intention

And I still can’t find the source 

Explored the chasms of my mind

Roped up my feelings into boxes

All assorted, categorized

Packaged sordid paradoxes 

---

I could rattle off the list

Of all I’d like to say

And yet standing here before you

i can barely muster “hey”