forms of hush

forms of hush

bright May dawn,
a light south breeze
lazily moves the gossamer
curtain hanging at the porch window.
children sitting on the rug
quietly play.  they speak
in hushed voices -  parents
shouldn’t be woken.

clear July afternoon,
clouds like cotton pillows
hang in the western sky.
grownups in  porch chairs
sip iced tea and
eat vanilla wafers.  they speak
in hushed voices of secrets
never to be made known.

gray October dusk,
cool winds bring fog rolling
in over the water. elders,
around the table, idly
play scrabble drink decaf and
munch saltines.  they speak
in hushed voices of things
only old folks should know.