Outside

Outside, in night, the startled beat of wings
The lake's cool breath disquieting the trees
The sometime rustle of nocturnal things
The hum of thunder carried on the breeze
The water idly pawing at the shore
Inside, at rest, we listen still for more

Outside, in night, the sirens' urgent scream
The boozy laughter from the closing bar
The wailing beggar, shaken from a dream
The thudding music oozing from a car
The dustbin navigations of the poor
Inside, at rest, we listen still for more

Outside, in night, the reconciled note
The crashing sweet abandonment of swords
The choruses of angels in full throat
The rushing sweep of unimagined chords
The sound of someone waiting at the door
Inside, at rest, we listen still for more