By John Sangster

once spoken, don’t dissipate, never to be heard from again. Most people
aren’t aware of this. Another thing is that words stick around pretty
close to home. Sure, they might shift about in the breeze, collect up
against the curb (we’re talking sound here, they won’t plug the drain),
but they don’t ride the wind, vanish on the jet stream. If I ever see you
pouring pop in that cup holder again, you’re dead meat. Understand? I
came across those in Lane 2 at the Anacortes Ferry Landing. Not a car
in sight. Obviously that mom had had it — she’d probably just had the
van washed, $16.95 inside and out including turtle wax at the Elephant
Car Wash, and now this. Most people go through their day oblivious to
latent conversations — words uttered, then thoughtlessly left behind.
They say it can’t be learned, hearing what was said before — either
you’ve got it or you don’t. Like perfect pitch. Maybe in the morning,
honey — Room 101, first door past the ice machine. It can be distracting,
the cacophony — sometimes I lose my own train of thought mid-
sentence. The way people look at me when I shout to be heard.

Copyright 2001 John Sangster