lovely secrets

My first year in college, I had a fascination with collages. I showed one to my drawing professor and he then Xeroxed it, without my knowledge, quietly tacking up the anonymous photocopies all over campus. I'd leave my English I class and see my own (unsigned) collage pinned up on a bulletin board in the hallway. I loved that.
I loved overhearing people say, "What is that? Whose is it? What does it mean?"

As I'd walk on, humming a little under my breath.

I didn't want to claim the work; I never did. I just wanted to see everyone else react to it, and cull their exclamations to turn over and examine later. A lovely secret, just for me. What a luxury.