The Songs of Strangers

A person enjoys eavesdropping on other patrons at a cafe.

The Songs of Strangers

The chatter in the cafe is a soothing balm
In the crowd's hubub, I find myself calm
Drinking coffee at my usual table, I am found
Partaking of the stories unfolding all around

Smoke wafts, cutlery clinks, hints of appetizing meals fill the air
Along with the meals, come conversations, like delicacies at a fair
One just needs pay attention
And look how the words run

Pluck a sentence here
Grab an interjection there
For the rest, just use your imagination
Lo, you have the whole conversation

Loudly, somebody is breaking up
With a gift, somebody is making up
Somebody is elated to be on their first date
Somebody thinks a movie to be first-rate

Once I had both friends and conversations of my own
However, those days are long gone as old I have grown
Now my soul dances to strangers’ songs
Life is too short to dwell on just its wrongs