Moments of absolute quiet alarm me

Almost as much as ascending screams of labor.

Woman in the room next to mine, the nurses

They scream at me without a word,
Their judgments fill my head.
I wish their eyes were not so loud,
Such silences I

Like a dummy

In a ventriloquist’s sick charade,

I let him speak for me,

Remaining in quaking quiet

While he let everyone

In a world of different sounds,

Loud and quiet

The planet revolves.

True quiet is not easily found.

In places out, away

Go ahead, raise your voice,
childishly stomp your feet.
Go ahead, make your choice,
jump up, leave your seat.

I'll shake my