Floating Away with the Tide

I always thought I was the center of the action
the one with the witty one liners
like bubbling champagne,
with people hanging on my every word

      I suppose that's how I'm forced
      to think of myself

but I come to these gatherings
that are bubbling with conversation
and I walk over,
listen for a bit
try to crack a joke
      (can't think of a joke?
      Make a funny face -
      anything for a reaction.)

But fine,
you make your joke,
they react, they laugh
bask for a minute
because that group you tried to butt into
quickly closes their circle again
after you tried to enter,
                                      to pop their bubble

because now you go out onto the water
to join the bubbles
that contain all that air
                                     just above the water

you keep trying to stick to them
but all you end up doing
is floating away with the tide