Overheard: That’s her. She’s here every day
eavesdropping on people’s conversations.
Where it took me: I continue to be fascinated
by the blurred line between public and private. If you choose a public place
for a private conversation, you may be compromising your right to privacy. If
you don’t want others to hear, don’t speak loudly enough for them to be part of
the conversation.
The poem
Coffee Talk
At first, nothing but
bean-grind and steam-wheeze,
sneaker-squeaks, heel-taps.
Bells over the opening door.
Horns and the Doppler effect
of traffic passing.
Just below 70 decibels,
the ear attunes.
It’s mostly murmur and mumble —
I realized the problem
…
everyone deserves a
chance …
so you broke up …
just go with it …
we call it football …
—
until your raised voice forgets
its public place,
releases secrets from stage-whispers.
