what is the sound
of the heartbeat of the universe?
a woodpecker's syncopated patter against
the hollow tree trunk?
the slow rhythm of waves
rolling onto the shore?
the hiccups of a kid
running around the dusty playground?
the escalating sighing of lovers
on a spring night?
a basketball dribbled
before and behind defenders,
then across the length of the hardwood court?
The cicada calls out -
whirring
speeding up
and winding down -
the living percussion
of spiraling galaxies.