earplugs

headphones are a pleasant partition.
half the time i didn't even have music on,
i would just struggle toward the sounds muffled, imagining i was deaf.
i learned ASL from grimy truckers.
i just wanted to explore,
to feel that part of me
that acknowledged.

we are surrounded and bombarded every day.
i started using earplugs instead,
and found that i ignore so many things in my environment:
the engine in the car,  the whirring of the fan,
the inconsequential ramblings of idiots.
i just wanted to think,
to feel like i have some space
uncharted.

we built the tank to suit,
like an iron lung,
like a womb,
like a sarcophagus.

in here you can barely hear a thing.