Der Stimmenimitator

Mediocre writers who pass their entire lives
reading other mediocre writers (he said to me)
read practically nothing else
and for no reason other than to reassure themselves
that mediocre writing is readable,
and therefore worthwhile.
And so too painters, composers,
musicians, directors and the rest, 
they all undermine their art
by this habit of forbearance, he said.
Once entered into, mediocrity 
becomes a commemorating morass
both inescapable and, for those with talent, fatal.
For most, he said to me pointedly, only inescapable. 
But, for the few.…
Interrupted at this juncture by the waitress 
we placed our orders. 
As she left we followed her with our eyes.
He then resumed his familiar attack.