It's Still Life

The Old Woman’s Aural Misadventure

the hearing aid screeches—
a tea kettle of sonic absurdity.
“did you say Qatar?” the old woman barks
at the neighbour’s garage band,

“because The Thrill Is Gone
is not what you’re playing.”

the cat (now an audio technician)
flicks an ear toward the amplifier’s wail:
“diagnosis: feedback or CIA broadcast.
prescription: more cowbell.”

the crow drops a stolen travel brochure:
fly to Qatar!
guitar not included.

the old woman adjusts the dial.
the frequency shifts.
now the guitar sounds exactly
like a camel
singing karaoke
in a sandstorm.

she smiles.
“better.”