I Hate The Sound by Debra J. Nordyke

I Hate the Sound

Harsh, high-piercing cry of the Black Crow.

Crow stares, eyes never blink. Peck…peck

breaks apart weakened skin. Don’t wear that hat.

Why do you have to argue. You wear too much makeup.

How much did you spend. Like glistening black oil

spewing from dry cracked earth, my steam escapes.

I hate the sound of the Black Crow.

Slow circular silent movement, Coiled Snake

ready to strike. Beware, walk lightly on shattered

glass. Like soft butter, fangs penetrate

tender skin, spitting poison into my veins.

That took a long time, where else did you go?

Don’t you like keeping the house clean?

I hate the sound of the Coiled Snake.

Creeping, crawling, crunch of the Tick.

I never feel the barbs stick into my skin, until

burrowed deep, feeds on my blood daily.

Tangles my hair, knots my thoughts. Tells me I am crazy,

I am confused, I don’t remember what happened.

Inner fight wanes like a limp flower stem.

I hate the sound of the crunching Tick.

Black Crow begins to circle, cawing

incessantly. Slowly, resolve melts, like a candle flame

liquefying wax. Weary hazel eyes watch

my children play, listening… Don’t tell people our business.

You’re too thin. How many times…shirts

on white hangers, pants on black.

I hate the sound of the Black Crow.

Summer breeze catches, lifts strands

of my blond hair. Slender moment of Zen gone.

I’ve taken too long at the store. How much

did you spend on limes? I morph

into a spinless worm. I sway, bend to the snake’s

declarations. Snake wraps around me

at night, you should take care of your snake.

Don’t go out with friends, tick needs my blood.

It’s not all about you, the tick reminds.

I should be grateful, house, car, clothes.

It’s not all about you, the snake reminds.

Steel black eyes of the Black Crow pierce,

It’s not all about you, the crow reminds.

I read the wind like tea leaves scattered

in the bottom of my teacup, warning me,

cushion my thoughts, beliefs about me,

for even the wind will be silent,

by the dominance of Black Crow,

power of coiled snake,

control of crunching tick.