of No-Stop City Two Hundred Words

Hailey Brown, M.Arch

We’ve never met, but I know you. The wallflower at the party. You linger in the background, with dark sunglasses masking your eyes, watching everyone. Make no mistake, your presence is no secret. A gradient of silence surrounds you. You want to participate, but not be the center of attention. You know if you step in, you’ll steal the limelight.

People gossip, whisper, stare, avoid, but secretly they admire you.

Your brutal appearance portrays your burdens, yet your wrinkle-free skin exudes confidence in your life’s decisions. There’s a softness to you, an approachable quality, a sleeping grizzly bear. I want to know you, but your monumental demeanor is belittling. You never smile, but your face relaxes every time your girl kisses your cheek as she flies past en route to greet your guests. She breathes life into the party, with a contagious energy that keeps people coming back. She is your soft-side. Maybe your better half. Two opposites never more perfect. You are forced to extend a hand and introduce yourself before you sip your scotch and return to your post. Why do you hold so much of my attention? I suspect there’s more to you than meets the eye.