Polite Society

Here I learned:
impropriety,politeness,
shyness,and germs
are perfect excuses
and acceptable terms
to not be social -
which nowadays seems
too much of a risk,
too big a bother,
a waste of time,
a cost too dear.

Where sincerity
is rarity,
empathy
is such a surprise.

The smiling hand shaker,
is your crazed risk taker
but is simply
a neighbor to me.