The Conversing Café

This is one of many songs I've written about things somewhat autopoietical. It relates particularly to KNOWLEDGE in Seven Aspects of Knowing, to the work of Alan Stewart and to the wonderful World Café, based in California.

You can download a lo-fi MP3 recording of this song (577 Kb) sung by Lloyd Fell and Cate Burke or, alternatively, for a smaller file, you can download verse 2 only (321 Kb).

The Conversing Café

I talk to people at work every day
And I'm affected by things that we say
We talk for power or self preservation
Winning the argument, justification
Needing agreement to guarantee outcomes
Separately having our way

I long to be able to speak without fearing
Trust and belong as a part of the whole
When we're conversing we're working together
Not just our minds but our heart and our soul

For I've seen the sparkling eyes
I have felt that connection
We came together not to persuade
But to treat each other well
In this together whatever we say
At the Conversing Café
In this together whatever we say
At the Conversing Café

Talking and listening we do every day
Cultures created by all that we say
Speaking oppression, how heavy the heart is
Lightness and laughter are not just for parties
Speak without needing the answer you wanted
Let out your spirit to play

So we are able to speak without fearing
Trust and belong as a part of the whole
When we're conversing we're working together
Not just our minds but our heart and our soul

For I've seen the sparkling eyes
I have felt that connection
We came together not to persuade
But to treat each other well
In this together whatever we say
At the Conversing Café
In this together whatever we say
At the Conversing Café