The Sound of Silence

When I am by myself, alone,

have the whole house to myself,

I don't turn on the TV for company

or

put on music to fill the void.

I enjoy the silence.

blissful

luxurious

delicious

silence.

When the kids are home, the TV is on non-stop.

static and noise

only punctuated by the demands

MOM! MOM! MaaaaaaaahM!

for a drink, a turn on the X Box, for someone to stop hitting

or sticking out a tongue

or

stop being mean.

When my husband is home, the TV is on non-stop.

static and noise

rev and whine of of NASCAR engines

or

staccato gunfire and screeching getaway car

or

seen it a million times syndicated show from the last decade

with canned laughter.

When no one is home, but me, the TV is NOT on.

the stereo is mute

I have made no room in my art studio

for even the smallest CD player.

the house is

silent

except for the furnace quietly kicking on to spread heat

or the ticking of the clock

or the patter of rain falling softly outside

or the sigh of the dog

or the creaking of the house

as it settles into a more comfortable position.

blissful

luxurious

delicious

silence.