I

For a while now,
Arlu hadn't written or called.
So Tuco was surprised to hear
she'd called Arlene last week.

Arlene said it was an odd call.
That Arlu talked about this family clan
she'd run into.
A clan of extroverts
and how, somehow, someone
needed to reassure
the introverted kids
that it was ok
to be an introvert in a clan of extroverts.

That all survive
as they learn their own rhythm,
the cycle of regeneration
that works for them.

Pretty deep for Arlu,
was all Tuco could make of it
as he wondered why
this had come up.

Arlene explained about the wedding
in her family.
Someone had invited Arlu
and that outsider view of the clan
led Arlu to talk about it later
with Arlene - introvert to introvert.

About how Arlene had found her path
in this clan. She learned
how to grow up as herself
and to measure -
manage the clan time
she spent.

II

Arlu was just broadly stating
how an introvert survivor
could show the younger clan introverts
how to find their path -
their balance.

And how any clan seems to be
a clan of extroverts
while there is this mix.
Its just that the extroverts thrive out loud
while the introverts go invisible.

But like fish in a pond,
someone outside
sees the huddle in the shadows
while those in the huddle dimly
know the signs of others there
with them in those shadows.

Depth and width Tuco thought
both have bulk.
Each of us show one to the world
but we all have both.

Fish
living in
the same
pond.

Less alone
than some know.

III

Tuco had listened closely.
He considered speaking
about other things being in ponds.
But he opted to stay quiet.
He looked across this placid pool
thinking of the energy
nestled... coiled... in it.

Again Tuco thought
about depth and width.
Both have bulk.
Each of us show one to the world
but we all have both.
And more.