[beep]

i hear them, when my brain stops
forgetting to listen
and they
beep.
computer monitor
sickly fluorescent strip
clunky photocopier
standing-by television
sloshing, washing machine
beep.

young ears, undamaged by decibel years
are troubled
by the beep.

worst,
worst of all -
post-gig, post-standingnexttospeaker, post-guitardistortion
screaming-singing,
ear ringing
beep,
hundreds of tiny anvils
plus hundreds of tiny hammers
in my pillow
as i
sleep.

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