small miracles
lay eggs
and build nests
and fly around my house
singing to each other
they banish silence
and bring a peculiar peace
this morning
when they started to sing
it sounded exactly like
my computer
confirming my keystrokes
with the crows playing the role
of the error buzzer
and so i had to stop
and remember
how to hear sounds
that are not generated by my actions
that are not requesting my input
that are not even for me
a commuter train blowing its horn as it crosses some intersection
a garbage truck, pneumatic sigh as it comes to a stop
a dog barking so far away that it is a wonder i can even hear it
a hammer telling knock knock jokes with no punchline
another hammer, further away
a circular saw screaming
a siren, i whisper a prayer
a jet, wiping a roar across the sky
and the birds, confirming nothing but their own existence