The helpless voyeur of a co-working space
I sit on a regular work-desk
in a cabin of 80 square feet Carpet Area
overlooking the ‘Reception’ of our space
lest any ‘lead’ walks in for an inquiry
The constant flux of people in the Reception
transforms this glass cabin into a spaceship
And the door, a peephole
through which I try to let in only the right vibe
A Meeting Room next door
seperated by an 8mm glass
solid, but not sound-proof
I hear fragments of conversations
disparate, incongruous, curious at times
Co-worker selling to a client,
Co-worker interviewing a candidate,
Co-worker brainstorming with a team-mate,
Co-worker making a video call,
Co-worker here for a silent time
A new kaleidoscope everyday, made
from these visuals of co-workers
and the audibles of overheard conversations
The backdrop of my work-day
Most of the times, it’s too much for me.
I’d rather be left alone.
Even the occasional hi is an intrusion.
I suffer from an incurable love for solitude.
Oh what I’d give to be in a distraction-free space
in nature – with sunlight and wild trees,
and sights of our feathered friends
Admittedly, though, there’d be better things to do
than type my stream of consciousness on an iPad
But at times, I am filled with gratitude
for the smile of a known stranger in our space
It reminds me of every human who stepped in
and decided to make it her second home


