a poem for the deaf
though stars are exploding
the night is silent again
settling into my chair
I smell something in the air
seeing things you can’t
is not easy to explain
heavenly bodies circling
around your ears
curious angels
pacing in the hallway
passion suppressed
words I was supposed to hear
trapped in wooden boxes
I sit on them
while pretending to sing
it’s not easy to listen
to anything you have to say
I nod like I understand
and look away
this place is more beautiful
with the stereo plugged in
the orchestra in the pit
the applause & the awe
beating inside my head
june two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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