tis all the more reason to keep quiet
as the good book says, a fool who says nothing is thought wise
all the more reason to look and nod knowingly
and furrow the brow
the fool, wise enough to know to keep silent
all the more reason to sip once more from the glass
and dab a little cheese on the cracker
and glance up at the ceiling tiles
or out the window, wistfully
when they pry
asking for tidbits
tis all the more reason to sigh
and tap a finger against the glass
and penetrate in silence, their gaze
until through complete and utter discomfort
of awkward shuffling
they speak or leave and think the fool a genius
it is reason enough to arrive and leave without a word
and keep shallow, folly-filled opinions safe from their grasp