by Suzanne Hermanoczki

people speak
in short slow
glimpses
of phrases -
an explanation
an negation
a laugh
m goy mgoyyyyy
Cantonese. 
a group of summer tourists
shading fans to faces
Kawaiiii
Japanese
   'Your kopee, Sirrrr,'
Malaysian
   'Thank-you.'
Generic White man in suit
bindo ah? 
at 3 o'clock
Mow ah mow ah
she replies with a shake of her head.
 
The White man takes a sip,
while the Cantonese pack up their voices
and the Japanese continue on their trip
a Philippino comes over to mop up
the words
that are left
on the tables-
lost
in conversations.