Ice cubes settle. 
Wind moves a shutter.
The furnace thumps. 
The fan hums. 
The screen door expands.
The cats nibble kibble. 
The magnolia scrapes the window. 

My grateful ears accept the music
Of motion with gratitude rejecting
Solitary notions of dread that assail
This single dweller. The sounds wiggle
Comfort between my shoulder blades.
 I fill crossword spaces while coffee
Mist drifts toward the empty chair. 

K. Bruce Florence
(I do not know why my name is listed as N/A. I have asked that it be changed and maybe it will be later.)