walking through the halls now
quickly
quickly
passing familiar faces
faces passed hundreds of times before
but are still nothing but familiar
still nothing but empty glances and greetings
and hollow smiles

walking faster now
walking quickly
quickly
through the same halls
day after day
week after week
month after month
the same people every day
the same smiles, hellos, faces
quick and stressed
awkward,
forced,
fake?

but still careful not to miss anyone
careful not to hurt their feelings
careful not to give the wrong impression

when really
it would be a relief
to stop the limp hellos
artificial smiles
feeble gestures

but then suddenly you slow down
and
stop

when familiar faces and uncomfortable greetings
don't matter anymore
because you've found

a friend.