The Peoplewatcher's Lament Poem by Raj Dronamraju

Some people eat what they notice of others for dinner
Perpetual Lent, perpetual Ramadan
I am denying myself the most immediate pleasures
I'll watch it occur in others and make copious mental notes

I start by mapping out a favorite spot
Then I'll record all I see
Like the man in the wheelchair who made a fart noise at the two pretty blonde college students
The girls giggled but the expression on his face was dead serious

Through his actions, he spoke up for timewasters and false leads
And the biggest question of all
How to upload all the information gathered
How to make use of these personal observations

I've been patient, maybe too patient
I've been content with the show but not what goes into the making of it
I know someone whose life is explained by watching them
Reading their body language with other people

Also watching what someone buys
These assumptions put off facing myself
You see my demons live not far from here
I try to cut through someone else's life to avoid where they are