sounds that ache

that nails across the chalkboard, dragging meanly sound
knife catches the plate and screams sound
breaks trying hard as they can but not making it sound
that sound, kind of
only it just hits the ears that way
you know?
but really
it's Debussy's Syrinx
recorded by James Galway
someone big like that
and the upper register does not float gently into the ear
it pounds like someone's pushing a screwdriver in
trying to make it through

that drumming on my brain sound
noise like my head's twenty taiko sound
someone trapped inside working to break out sound
throw yourself against the door
pick up a group of friends to help sound
but it's just
a something being set down on the counter sound
"footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor"
the cat coming down
from up but landing
on her "little cat feet"
like the fog
sound

too much guitar too many guitar sound
electric all sound
those damn drums, seven drummers, talented all, sound
screaming vocalist, reaching fans that could not get tickets
and had to wait outside the venue sound
music, be no more today
and let my ears have peace sound

cat, no more meow
sound
let no one move lest they touch, connect, and create
sound
weather be still
and birds, go to rest
sound, be no more
for every press you make
does not massage and sooth
but commits infanticide
against me
"if music be the food of love"
then let it end as well

of this world create a lifeless wasteland
leave me to lie flat on the ground
up at a grey sky and sunglasses-tinted orb
on top of the still and silent heap
of machines- cars that backfire no more
a desert postapocalypse
upon which to find rest

sound