Pleasantries and Pacivity

How do you really know

what's going on behind the smiles,

the nods

and the unquestioning agreements?

Do you really want to know the conversations your missing?

The thoughts and concepts you've denied?

The opportunities pissed and procrastinated away,

dismissed as trivial,

the expressions of an experience

and a validity of life.

The knowledge that sometimes emotional sacrifice

cuts an artery

and you die.

Is ignorance bliss?

Or mere stupidity

behind the veil

of Mona Lisa's eyes.