in silence, a list

its so quiet. the rain outside is a consistent ssshhhh to all those who might attempt at making noise. the day, usually filled with the sounds of the city, is silent. it is the first day of the year. is everyone sleeping? or is there a collective enjoyment of this silence, a communal pause as we all begin anew?

i hear no tv or radio coming muffled through the walls. the usual footsteps on the sidewalk below are not to be heard, and the couple walking in sync under a single black umbrella carry no conversation. there is just the rushing sound of the blue flame as it warms a whistling kettle on the stove. its almost time for tea. the cup, currently cold, will soon be steaming and steeping earl grey. ill use the remaining water for oatmeal, and towards the bottom of the bowl will be the sound of the spoon scraping the ceramic, and with a jangle the spoon will clang in an empty bowl when i put it down with the last bite.

a bird whistles and i am reminded that i havent heard them yet this morning. its way overdue. the silence is almost too much for my thoughts. thoughts, of everything and nothing, of a year past and a year to come, of hopes and regrets, that make for a list much too long to put to record. i wonder how different the list will look this time next year. there are so many unknowns on their way, and the silence of this morning is a fitting prelude.