They Want You To Pay Them Attention Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Why aren't you paying them any attention?
'Who? '
The ones ignoring you.
'Huh? '

Yeah!
They want you to pay them attention,
So they can ignore you.

'But...
Isn't that what they are doing? '
YES!
But you are not expected to show,
You could care less about it!

'Oh...
I see.
So...
Maybe they are the ones seeking attention,
And giving it to me...
In the hopes I notice it.
But pretend I don't suspect it is from them.'

I don't know!
Is that the message you want me to deliver?

'Huh?
When did the minding of my own business,
Become their focus? '

Don't ask me!
I was told to get you to look their way.
So they can ignore you!