Ticks

The short, round one

has to fondle my blouses, rubbing

fabric between thumb and forefinger

while exclaiming how beautiful they are.

What a great color!

I could never wear such a thing!

Hello is not enough. 

I thank her and sigh.

Another one sneezes

like a chuffing lion and

I wonder if lions can sneeze

while they chuff?

There is a woman who bursts

into spontaneous vibrato humming

for no apparent reason.

She favors the opening notes to

Strangers in the Night.

I catch myself in a loud, heavy

sigh.  I wonder how often

I do it and if

someone keeps track.

Are there tick marks on the

cubicle wall next to me where

the  girl who always  says

I know, right?

I know, right?

I know, right?

keeps a running account

of my exhales?