Shrinking (Revised) Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Why does a conversational ploy that charms
one colleague fall flat on its face for others?

When I enact a little tragi-comedy for Hanlie
she embroiders the tales I tell, brings out the

hidden glitter in every situation and adds joy
by weaving her wan spell -

but when I share the same anecdote with
other colleagues my story loses its appeal,

I feel guilt and fatigue, and the story shrivels
up and dies; a more robust, feisty colleague

simply kills the story by pulling down corners
of her mouth -

thus, with Hanlie on leave, I already know
why life at work keeps shrinking