***
a stream
a long steady stream
flows forth from the whiteshirt ballcap man in the corner
flows without ceasing
as he leans back
comfortable
confident
and oblivious
there are friends about
others
who might have words
things to say
opinions to share
but all are washed rinsed flooded away by streamwords never ending never stopping never ceasing onandon
one friend reads, head bowed low
(he has quit trying)
one sits, smiles faintly, glancesabout
(smile speaks loudly itself, screams givemeachance)
one sips coffee, slowly, patiently
(coffee now cooled by stream, time)
they are waiting for their turn
but it’s baseball and drugwar and celebrity and pontificate and explicate and
rate and berate and irate and alliknowitall
as i leave
i look back through the window
and see my reflection there
whiteshirt
ballcap
and all
***
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. – Proverbs 17 : 28
