a small sound

phones ring incessantly
cell phones make rackets incoherently
the washer spins unstoppably
the drier squeaks repeatedly
television...what nonsense is this ...
this little screen at which I stare gives no comfort
quiet vibrations that agitate
children screaming with delight
children screaming with annoyance




my small hot porch
my own constant aggravating noise roiling in my head
the rest of the chaos can still be heard through the screen


above the din...the tiniest tap....pause...tap...
as if someone barely cared to bother the tree...

and beside me in the cedar tree...a wood pecker...

the smallest sound brought me a solitary moment of peace...