'the sound of one hand'

i know well
so well
the sound of people
those who talk
and those who listen
sounds of laughter
and the ever-aching
sounds of tears
streaming down

i know also
the sound of
the hairdryer
and cars passing by
the lawnmower next door
the train as it comes
to a screeching halt

and then that of
the crickets
in the still of the night
the birds that chirp
their way into dawn
the ocean as its waves
roar and rumble
(is it rumble?)

but the sound of silence
is what i seek
to hear nothing
but nothing
no not even the sound
of this beating heart