this silent moment

the furnace is humming in the basement
there is a ringing in my ears
and the clicking of computer keys
and the creaking of the chair back

outside baffled in yesterday's snowfall
an illusion of soundlessness there
cars drift by on the street
as if the drivers were lost in dreams

this empty page
I so wanted to say something

what has changed since yesterday
the handsome butterfly cup
a crack in it this morning
it will not be thrown out

some things should be held as priceless
like recalling a stranger
who went out of his way to help you
someone you are unable to name

—From Aloe of the Evening 2015