On the train

What strange lives these women must lead
Whispering their secrets with such intensity
Mouthed at each other across the table
Using mirror reflections to check out fellow passengers
Black eyes darting everywhere
Ever vigilant
Sibilant breaths drawn

I hear the spitting and hissing of mouths drawn
Hands desperately elegantly drawing in the air

Glug glug goes the wine
The crisp crunch of potato chips
All sounds would they drown if they could
So smothered with care

Then maybe the truth dawned on me
The curse of the lost voice
Deaf and dumb perchance?
But no, it was a choice they made