we are a captive audience
and you are trying to explain
the word captivating to them
as if it’s only a positive experience

but I know the root: capt
which means caught
and that’s how I am
in this back seat
behind the back row

unable to speak the definition
aloud to you
though even to myself
I can’t say why
(I can’t say why I
want to disappear)

the students listen to your
explanation and you,
being their teacher,
have convinced them
of its truth, its beauteous
seduction of words.

in a way, I know you are right:
we are all captivated by
the words from your mouth,
the quiet classroom you maintain,
the definitions you provide.

what I mean to say
(though I won’t)
is that (I) we are caught here,
our own words captured
(same root)
somewhere inside our souls,
waiting to be released.