I was nervous so I came early,
I paced the hallways and waited.
She was putting our packets together,
So I assisted, to burn energy.

She showed me the meeting room,
I walked in and sat down.
My nerves were getting worse,
And I actually tingled and shook.

I noticed the guys mostly sat back,
Legs crossed, arm over their chair.
I sat shoulders hunched forward,
And starred at the floor.

They conversed about various issues,
And laughed easily at jokes.
One fellow said he got drunk last night,
To get the nerve to come today.

Panic rose, ever increasing in me,
Talk to these guys, no way,
Talk around these guys, I can't do it.
To many people in a small room for me.

I kept thinking, "If only we'd start right now",
"I might be able to do this".
Then later, "I hope she doesn't start to soon".
"Because I'll have time to get out of here.

I realized then that the difference,
between being here and what I do daily,
Is daily I'm alone, by myself,
Here I was alone in a Room Full Of Strangers.
 
 

©Ben Drake (1999)