Changing Opinion

Gradually

We became aware

Of a hum in the room

An electrical hum in the room

It went mmmmmm

We followed it from

Corner to corner

We pressed our ears

Against the walls

We crossed diagonals

And put our hands on the floor

It went mmmmmm

Sometimes it was

A murmur

Sometimes it was

A pulse

Sometimes it seemed

To disappear

But then with a quarter-turn

Of the head

It would roll around the sofa

A nimbus humming cloud

Mmmmmm

Maybe it's the hum

Of a calm refrigerator

Cooling on the big night

Mmmmmm

Cooling on the big night

Maybe it's the hum

Of our parents' voices

Long ago in a soft light

Mmmmmm

Long ago in a dimmed light

Mmmmmm

Maybe it's the hum

Of changing opinion

Or a foreign language

In prayer

Mmmmmm

Or a foreign language

In prayer

Maybe it's the mantra

Of the walls and wiring

Deep breathing

In soft air

Mmmmmm

Deep breathing

In soft air

Mmmmmm