Alone at the Goth Show

Took my time getting ready and
Showed up anyway,
The second ticket a freebie to whoever needed it.
An only child the first decade of my life,
I know how to keep myself entertained.
Besides,
An extrovert was bound to adopt me
Within the hour of my being there.

Like clockwork,
A complete stranger
Asks for my name
Puts her arm around my shoulders
Steers me to the middle of the dancefloor
With the other goth steppers
Insisting that I shouldn't dance alone.

Conversations still found me
As someone stumbled in, trying to get the vibe
While a lost driver turned around.
Someone plopped next to me on the couch
Iced out of their conversation so
We talked about websites
Until they wandered off.

I ran into somebody I knew,
But he was working
Snapping event photos
So I made sure to pose for a few.

I recognized quite a few more people,
But none came up to me and
I did not mind (much),
I was enjoying the lonely moments
Between community.

I took selfies,
Balanced on bricks,
Read a few chapters,
Complimented outfits.

The bartenders had utensils
When I finally remembered to eat dinner
And ran across the street to the food truck.

Couldn't vandalize the bathrooms *again*
Because I still left my Sharpie at home.

Kept returning to the dance floor
Greeted with smiles
And a toast from a fellow solo.
Our circles remained neighbors, and never crossed.

Only one song made me keenly miss
My dance partner.

I only said one Goodbye before going home late.