I was asked today
if I could do something
That I’ve done before.
Nothing difficult.
At least, it wasn’t last time.
Just mingle with a crowd,
All in costume,
Taking photos.
Making the organisers proud
By recording their
Event.
I’d be paid in attendance,
And with a meal.
And asked for all my photos
For their permanent record.
I last did this
Maybe a decade ago.
I was younger then,
Less aches and pains,
A quieter head,
And without the black dog
Nipping at my heels.
I did seriously entertain the prospect.
Even checked my calendar
To see if I had the night free.
Of course it was free,
I do nothing anymore,
But hide.
The last time I had a lot of fun.
But I remember too,
The press of bodies,
The difficulty being heard,
The stress
Of trying to get everything
Just right.
A decade on
Things don’t work as well as
They once did.
Not the body.
Not the mind.
As much as I want
To be that good friend
Who can help out
When she’s needed,
The screaming inside my head
Says,
No.
Not this time.
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To read about the benefits to being an introvert, visit here; https://time.com/5373403/surprising-benefits-introvert/