Talking

Andrew R. Duckworth

I remember no smartphones.
I remember paying attention
To my surroundings.
I remember seeing older folks
Around a round table
At a breakfast joint,
Wearing their caps,
Talking to each other,
Talking to each other,
Talking to each other
About everything and nothing
Over a cigarette and pancakes.
They talked about the weather
Because it impacted the fields.
That was every morning
From six to seven
In a small town
Where word of mouth
Was faster than an iPhone,
For better or for worse.