Be yourself, they say, but be assertive
Hold your ground but do not be unkind
I have sought to be both lamb and lion
Heartache is the thing I tend to find
If could wear a mask of pluck and power
It would never say what I intend

I don’t want to shout above the babble
I’m not even sure what I would say
Maybe just, “Excuse me, could we maybe
Be a little quieter today?”

I don’t mean to come across as distant
I don’t think it adds to my mystique
I just find it difficult conversing
And think an awful lot before I speak