I sometimes wish, I truly wish,
That I was rather loud
And loved attention, company,
And being in a crowd
I wish that those who saw me were
Excited and impressed
Instead of seeing someone they
Can tolerate, at best
(“The Wishes of an Introvert” – 5-17-2014)
The extrovert, whose daily life
Seems naught but dull routine
Will seek adventure when they can
Amidst a crowded scene
For people give them energy
That work just drains away:
And so they need excitement
When they get a holiday
But me, I am an introvert
And people make me tired;
It’s not that I don’t like them
It is just the way I’m wired
So when I get a holiday
From busy working life
I will go someplace peaceful
By myself, or with my wife
For yes — I do like travelling
But don’t like hue-and-cry:
I like to sit and watch the world
Just watch it
Going by
(Inspired by this prompt.)
The holidays are coming soon
I say, make them your own —
While some are with their closest friends,
I’d rather be alone
The party’s going on outside
A good one – I can tell —
I’ll thank them all to let me by
And go to some hotel
Where I can read and write and sleep;
Perhaps, reenergize —
It’s nothing against anyone
It’s better spirit-wise
For me to have some space and time.
This, many folks would hate —
But some time to be by myself?
To me that sounds
Just
Great
One person at a time.
That is, for me,
The way to reach, connect:
For like a tree
My roots can drink
From just one at most ground;
More flora than I’m fauna
s’What I’ve found
[Alternatively titled “Conversational Monogamy” – Owen]
Please, don’t disturb the introvert.
We think it would be best,
If you would all back off, so we
Could give the thing a rest
For extroverts, their favorite game,
Is one called “piling on”;
Where they just keep on adding, till
The introvert
Is gone
This man is talking —
To me and around me —
He’s voluble
And it would not astound me,
If he kept going
Just like this, for days:
When after twenty seconds
My eyes glaze.
The extroverts among us
Are intense:
They do not know my kind
When they commence.
I like a conversation
And to share:
But only when
Something like meaning’s there
Life is dull, I need exciting
Life is stressful, I need peace
Your life doesn’t sound inviting…
…Your life puts me ill at ease
Let’s go out to where the crowds are
Or let’s not and say we did
I know about this hot new bar
What if we stayed home and hid?
You’re just boring, I need action
You’re chaotic – I need quiet
You won’t get no satisfaction…
…Have fun tonight at your riot…
Think of all the reasons
People congregate on New Years Eve
To be where the crowds are
Where the action is
To cut completely loose
To drink to excess
To dance with abandon
To celebrate in full voice
With all those people
To be immersed in your fellow-humanity
To be anonymous
To rejoice in the passing of another year
If you can relate to wanting these things
You are my polar opposite
