Gradually
we became aware
of a hum in the room
an electrical hum in the room
It went mmmmmm
We followed it from
corner to corner
We pressed out ears
against the walls
We crossed diagonals
and put our hands on the floor
It went mmmmmm
Sometimes it was
a murmur
Sometimes it was
a pulse
Sometimes it seemed
to disappear
But then with a quarter-turn
of the head
it would roll around the sofa
A nimbus humming cloud
mmmmmm
Maybe it's the hum
of a calm refrigerator
cooling on a big night
Maybe it's the hum
of our parents' voices
long ago in a soft light
mmmmmm
Maybe it's the hum
of changing opinion
or a foreign language
in prayer
Maybe it's the mantra
of the walls and wiring
Deep breathing
in soft air
mmmmmm
