Before the sun rises the first day of school
the only sounds in the house are the fish tanks
as it bubbles, the rush of the river outside the window,
and the soft motor of the cat as she makes biscuits on my lap.
Even the kitchen is quiet, save the intermittent hum
of the fridge. All day, I will try to remember this,
how quiet it is, how full of peace, a great score
on which any note can be written.