this happens
twenty-odd years ago
I see a girl on High Street
speaking into her mobile
four yards away
another girl is at it too
both girls gesture the while
and speak out-loud
the other passers-by
pay no attention
but mine is somehow caught
by this odd tableau
then I realise girl number one
is speaking to girl number two
blimey I think why don’t they
confront directly and privately?
one of the few left immobile
I perversely converse as ever
face-to-face eye-to-eye I hope
my speech will never sever
.
Jeff Cloves
.