She Talked Too Loud Poem by Richard George

She came from a background
Of distances, oceans;
Atlantic, Antigua.
So when she started cleaning
In the Square Mile, in London,
She talked too loud
In the halls and corridors.
Her bosses overheard
As she punctured their pretensions
And that great forgiving laugh
Erupted from her belly.
They had words with her. She was sorry.

So she whispered, but still
They could pick her up across the floor:
Even her silence resounded.
She had to go. They all agreed.
So now she does nothing
In a white room, in white clothes:
The blinds of her eyelids
Are pulled down tight.
And they have peace and quiet.