Instant Silence

The children have left for school.
The house is silent.
I make myself a cup of coffee and curl up on the couch.
Thoughts tumble through my mind, then nothing.
I don't want to think anymore, and so I don't.

I just listen.

There are sounds of cars leaving or arriving at houses nearby.
Birds alighting on the willow tree just outside the window,
The click click of the fridge, keeping contents cool,
Then I shut out the sounds and retreat within myself.
Clutching my coffee cup and pressing it to my lips, there is nothing,

Only me and the silence I have found.


By Catherine Smith