Today I’ve heard a lot of ambulances
Go past the house. I don’t know why I fear them
There’s more than usual. Then again the chances
Are that I’m just here now more to hear them .
There’s less now, to distract, less traffic noise
To cover up the sirens. Are there more
Than usual? Could it be the choice
To tune them out is one I made before?
But now I can’t? Another siren passing
At speed. Doppler effect, so I assume
Somebody somewhere’s coughing, wheezing, gasping
More than usual. I don’t like this sense of doom
That clenches in my chest. It seems unfair
To dread that sound. I should be glad they’re there.
Tom Juniper Poetry 