Headphones

Even when the music stops

And the instruments are packed away

Even when everyone has returned to their homes

And the carpark looks dark and empty

Even when another day dawns, with new melodies

And yesterday’s song is forgotten by most

 

Even then

 

I can’t take off these headphones

I can’t escape to silence

 

The humming, the buzzing stays

The whirring resonates in my bones

And my brain flickers

And my heart flutters

And my feelings rumble

 

And in these headphones?

With no volume control

With no off switch

 

This recording that repeats?

This tireless tune?

This sweeping and surpassing sound?

 

It’s you.