the Strong Strand of Silence

Effortlessly, my ears separate the strands

of night-time sounds--

the buzzing of the creek-side frog choir,

the occasional whir of a car motor

and its tires playing the pavement,

the staccato of horseshoes doing the same,

soft music from an open window

or distant fire pit,

and, binding it all together,

the strong strand of silence.

Beautiful, all-supporting, strong,

reassuring, comforting silence.

Louder than all the others.