Thursday, April 25, 2013

Prattle



Her meditative muse
drifted
in the prattle of hens,
struggled 
to make conversations
of import 
about the topics
they found consuming.

She tried to play
but the game
regarded her with suspicious eyes,
distrusted her
for the disinterest.



Copyright © 2013 Jennifer Wagner


I try, I try, I try!  I am getting better at small talk…though at times it is challenging to do so.  I am learning to lighten up a bit, the fate of the world not actually being in my hands and all…  I am also learning that I am not the only one to have this problem!  Apparently many introverts find gab for gab’s sake difficult as well.  Chatter saturation drains me, and although I want to connect with people, I’ll find myself checking out. *‘Introverts react more strongly to stimulus and therefore need much less of it or they rapidly become overstimulated.’  We like to savor the juicy bits; extroverts like to consume large quantities, so to speak.  If you think this might be you or someone you love I recommend Susan Cain’s book:  Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking, a really great book that helps in the understanding of some of the differences among us.

*quote from www.psychologies.co.uk/self/revenge-of-the-introverts.html  Additional good info there as well. 

www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/introversion  Fun quotes for those interested.

For the prompt by the very talented Kim Nelson at Poets United:  Voices. 

18 comments:

ND Mitchell said...

So with you on this one. I saw that book last week in a bookshop and was tempted to get it. I will now. Love your imagery of being unable to breach the prattle of hens. I totally get this :-)

Brian Miller said...

smiles...i like that it is the game that regards her with suspicion...i am not an introvert....ha...but i can def understand...my wife is more an introvert until she knows people...now i do much prefer to focus on a few over all the prattle...too much gives me a head ache....smiles.

joanna said...

oh! this is me, too. i'm so bad at small talk, though i've gotten better by necessity and frequency of practice! i like how "the game" regards her with suspicious eyes in this... nice turn of phrase.

Tank said...

This makes me chuckle, I love who you are and what a great poem... Favorite part is the game regarding her with suspicious eyes ;-) I can imagine it!

Fireblossom said...

I love those last two lines. Thanks for the heads up on the book!

Unknown said...

I'm right there with you. Not keen on small talk, and really clam up when gossip enters the scene.

RMP said...

I too am an introvert. I prefer to drift off or disengage from chaotic or overwhelming situations. I much prefer my own company.

The Unknowngnome said...

I'm use to being distrusted.

Lisa A. Williams said...

Lovely Jennifer. I too, find small talk pretty much a waste of time. I would much rather spend my time having a deep, heartfelt conversation than waste it on gossip.

Mary said...

Jennifer, I have a hard time with the 'prattle of hens' too and always did. It is so hard to stand around finding subjects to chit chat about with people you don't know. I don't think I will ever get the hang of this. I am more a small group person, two or three, where people can really talk. I disliked being at parties which someone else had driven to, as then I could not leave when I just couldn't stand it any more. LOL. I do have a feeling that a lot of poets can empathize with your words. I can for sure.

Unknown said...

Smiling at the "prattle of hens"! Sometimes it can feel like a game trying to keep the conversation going when you'd rather be elsewhere.

Rosemary Nissen-Wade said...

I'm another introvert. Thank you for saying it for us all! (I'll just add that book to my wish list.)

Justin Lamb said...

Quite a revealing poem. You said much with few words; to me, that is great poetry. That's the sort of writing that inspires me. Well done!

Wendy Bourke said...

Well put, Jennifer. Small talk is probably one of those things in life - it's best not to get too good at. My daughter claims I do it well because I've perfected the art of H-m-m-m-m: as in (H-m-m-m-m, I don't get you at all), (H-m-m-m-m, I've never looked at it quite that way) and (H-m-m-m-m, I may or may not agree with you - it's a mystery H-m-m-m-m). Other than H-m-m-m-ming my way through it, when forced, I try (as much as possible) to avoid it - and small talkers - all together.

Suzy said...

Small talk is something that is real difficult for me to do. I'd much rather sit in silence and take in the scenery.

Anonymous said...

There's nothing wrong with using less words. That lull or pause in the conversation has a well deserved place too.

Adura Ojo said...

I find small talk tedious. Tend to avoid public events because of this. Unless I really have to be there. Your poem captures the not-so-great aspects of our social conditioning rather well.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I am not good at small talk...I always find there to be awkward silences and I am not good at navagating them!! LOL.