My ears popped and I could hear
clearly- not that I knew I had been muddled-
and I was too embarrassed to ask
if anyone could hear the constant low hum
or was I hallucinating
a distant aircraft
or are they racing coupes again in the dirt
or maybe it’s farm machinery at night,
making weird associations
reminding me of a childhood
I didn’t have, with animals and fresh bread
and a porch swing…
Somehow climbing the stairs
brings fresh sounds, like an aural Alpine gust
and I think maybe I’m the only one
listening.
A sneeze is coming and I’m afraid
of losing the hum when my ears un-pop.