Listen

When you're not listening
I speak slowly,
softly,
as if in a dream
to myself.

When you're not listening
I talk about my obsession
with organizing my closet
before the shoes
mutiny.

When you're not listening
I tell you about the lightning
during the last snow storm
how exciting it was,
and how frightening.

When you stop to listen
turning to look at me
and say, "What did you say?"
I mumble incoherently,
"Oh, nothing."