One hundred and one : hum

So much space
silence—or what passes for silence
in the suburbs at night.

Sirens in the distance.
Refrigerator hum.
Wind.
Rain.
The creak of settling foundations.

But still, true silence is here.

It lies, as always, to my left,
where no breath,
no murmur of sleep,
no rustle of sheets is heard.

A place reserved for a protector
who has never shown himself.

It’s funny how an empty house can amplify an empty bed.