Music by Elizabeth Douthitt Sharp

Distractions

His teeth are crooked and his voice has a nasal quality. His beard needs to be trimmed. He looks over his glasses when he looks up. (Does he need a new prescription?) Light shines too brightly on his face. People are making noises. The air is too warm and too humid. The chairs are hard and squeak at every shift. What is he talking about? Does he expect us to follow him? Isn’t that person cute? What are those things on the wall? What should I have for dinner? The back itches; the feet sweat. It’s been too long since breakfast, and lack of sleep makes it hard to keep still this long. I think I’d rather be fishing.