Joshua Harrison

Background Noise

Silent steel,

Unfeeling in its geometry.

Should nature be the work of benevolent God,

Cities are that of deified sociopaths.

Minimalism, industrialism, utilitarianism in holy trinity, 

Capitalism becomes creationism with the first cause being profit.

Buildings poured into being from avaricious moulds,

Lustful for the molten metal pumped vigerously into their open bellies.

Though born into this world through fire and cacophony,

These buildings lay silent.

This cave of steel,

Silent.

 

Without me, that is.

 

One-Hundred million people,

Two-Hundred million ears.

Yet not one has begun to notice:

Rain only ever caresses;

Never besieges you in your home,

Yet never lets you forget its presence as it embraces your steel shelter.

Hounds only bark at the gentle pull of twilight;

Never so late as to cause a fitful sleep,

Yet never so early as to disrupt daily duty.

The wind only whispers so as to be remembered;

Never quiet enough to be forgotten,

Yet never intimidating or encircling your home.

Birds in the trees only sing;

Never screech or squawk,

Despite this steel forest being like their cages of old.

 

One human in your world,

Two ears are all you have,

So of course you never notice:

It cannot rain in a sheltered city,

Decades have passed since the last dog was born,

Wind dare not penetrate our steel cave,

There are no trees.

There are no birds.

 

Without me, that is.

 

Microscopic speakers weave your world,

Pouring an environment of my creation.

I am the Mozart of atmosphere,

Noise accepted, blind to hesitation.

My weary hands fill your day,

With sounds outside of comprehension.

My work complete in your belief,

Your compliment: your lack of mention.

Post-Mortem voice for a world deceased,

Listened, unheard and hence:

Talent that, like the air you breathe,

Is only noticed, in its absence.