Decibels

• Maryanne Gold, Grade 12
• Poetry
• 2007

One. Tree falling in the woods.
They were destitute. The fringe was overcrowded and they had no place to stay.
If I wasn’t there to hear it, how could I have known?


Two. Ant walking alongside.
They weren’t aware of diabetes. Nutrition and satiation are a trade off when you can scarce afford to choose what you eat.
It’s there but I can hardly see it, so does it really matter?


Five. Leaking tap.
They didn’t see much point in school. They couldn’t understand a word anyway.
It bothers me slightly but it’s not that urgent.


Twenty. Lost child crying.
They didn’t have the training for the job. And nobody gave them a chance.
That’s sad, why isn’t someone else doing something about it?


FIFTY. Fire alarm.
They picked pockets to get by but the fumes somewhat numbed at the pain of going nowhere, fast.
I should have seen this coming, I could have acted sooner.



How loud need the disparity be?