Thanks for coming!

 

I ran into a friend at a show

Friend is a catch all word

That means a lot of things

In this case I mean a person

Who can only be bothered with you

When you’re dating his boss

A friend whose wants are 

Measured in power
A cup he keeps refilling

With the same dry hand

“Thanks for coming,” he said
The way a museum e-blast says it

To a donor’s shadow

With all the charisma 

Of a careless, opaque institution

“I didn’t know you were involved,” I said

His face did this craven, little, psycho twitch
But he kept it together, stated his role

Like a title I should address him by

Then his eyes searched past me 

For another opportunity to

Mimic human warmth

Without possessing any

“You’re welcome,” I said

He blinked. “For what?”

“You thanked me,” I said

I watched him turn that over

Like currency he didn’t recognize