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 m-m-m-mmm

Maybe it's the hum of a calm refrigerator
Cooling on the big night m-m-m-mmm
Cooling on the big night maybe it's the hum
Of our parents' voices
Long ago in a soft light m-m-m-mmm
Long ago in a dimmed light m-m-m-mmm

Maybe it's the hum of changing opinion
Or a foreign language in prayer
M-m-m-mmm or a foreign language
In prayer maybe it's the mantra
Of the walls and wiring deep breathing
In soft air m-m-m-mmm
Deep breathing in soft air
M-m-m-mmm