Rubbing Along

'Only Connect'
- surely an easy matter,
to penetrate the cosy idle chatter
of too-well known partners.
'Heard it before.'
you think, accountably bored -
as well you know when to applaud
the punch-line that is yourselves.
'In others' shoes:'
walk a metaphorical mile, go on,
it'll be far too late, after she's gone,
because she was bored with you too.