There’s a place for us at the table —
it’s not the raucous one, at the center of things.
It’s close enough to take in all the life
but far enough that we can move away
without a fuss, when we are done.

We circle, still, at the periphery,
and it feels good to be here
where we can observe but not be known,
where we can belong
but not be called upon.

©Wendy Mulhern
July 5, 2018