quiet night

quiet night
the air is cool, like there was a breeze
but even the leaves are still
besides the nightly noise from dogs
across the alley
nothing is moving

until thump, thump, thump
the cat's tail on the window behind me
he's anxious to get out
to silently stalk the soundless night
investigating empty streets where
drunks and shift workers are absent

a siren floats above the neighborhood
fading back into a quiet
that's pleasant without overwhelming
until the bus arrives
disgorging cell phone conversations
that drop onto front porch eaves

but i prefer the quiet, private
of my thoughts and
of my waiting dreams