Peace or Quiet

The deep drone of a vehicle's engine just outside the door. Midnight artillery. Radio traffic. A thousand voices. Generators. Air conditioners. Islamic prayers through broken loudspeakers. Sometimes music. Always something. Ceaseless sounds strip silence from the surroundings.

Just the other day I realized that no matter where you go or what you do here, there is no escaping some kind of noise. I wish I hadn't, because now I can't help but notice it, much like when someone mentions breathing or blinking and suddenly your entire concentration focuses on what is ordinarily involuntary.

I guess I'll just put my headphones back on. At least then I can choose what I hear.