A Man Once Told Me

A man once told me

I looked as if I had a good joke to tell

because of the smile on my face

we were on a lunch break at the time

and I was amusing myself

as I often do, just thinking 

which can get you in a lot of trouble

like it just did seconds ago

"No", I said, "it's no joke"

"I'm just starting to realize something"

and there was a pause

"well, what did you realize"

he asked? 

I sat there puzzled

wondering how I could tell this man

or even allow him to grasp 

at what came to me as I sat there 

in a room designed to house us for 30 minutes

like an oasis, in the middle of a desert 

"Have you ever

found it ironic?"

I paused

"found what ironic?" he asked

"well, everything" I answered

no I'm sorry, I haven't, is all he said

before going back to eating

his packaged lunch while he wore a look

of disappointment about him

at what I just said