Sonnet II: City Hall

Today I stood in line at City Hall
With all my fellow citizens at hand
With civic actors, activists and all
A line around the block, a lengthy strand
The people gathered there to take a stand,
All keen to speak their minds, keen to be heard
I heard ideas traded, meetings planned
Within, my same desire for action stirred…
I tried to speak and couldn’t say a word
I stood amidst a group discussing views,
A couple people talking, not absurd
I froze and failed to read their social cues
And left, feeling desperate need for a guide
To socialism for the socially petrified