Open Key Night

The howling siren sets my dog to howling along,
outside, until the fade of one and the other
lets familiar domestic sounds return to focus

The small whoosh of gas stove lighting
scrape of an ancient kitchen drawer
and onion skin being removed, and rechopitulation

A hot sizzling crescendo and more definitive chops,
the 'ting' of the cutting blade, and rinsing of same
A brief bark, desirous to be on the other side of the door

A full grown child will not be home for supper
and with good bye enters an outside world of laughter
while canine toenails click into a distant room

Now pour, and stir, and general conclatteration -
the familiar aromas synaesthetically evoke a vision
of home long ago, and Beethoven, then the news...

"Good night, Chet." "Good night, David."
And years beyond, and years to come
and thoughts unthought, and words, hard or soft, unspoken

I was just passing by, and the keyboard was open
which is as good a reason as any, I suppose;
this moment with you, though later, I treasure now