16

I often overhear others discuss
    “—I never thought that he would—”
    “—when I got back I literally died from—”
    “—no, you see, when you—”
    “—and so I told her that if—”

I sip my drink and listen
    catching words and thoughts
    insults and praises
        false and true
Melting them down
    and reforging the remains
    for my own purposes

<< First Last >>