noise

a big blue dictionary laying on the shelf
between two yellow candles in wooden holders
is open to the page with the word
     noise

i used it to describe the house
i used it to describe the room
i used it to describe the shelving
it was the books underneath screaming at me

open us, they yelled, open us and see
then throw us back
but don't forget it, child

the pages were laughing at me
calling me nothing
they echoed words from long ago
noises from other people filled me