The Cricket

If the sparrows would stop
their wrangling,
and the cardinal neglect
his morning news,
the garden muffle
tips of roots
and flowers diminish
their colors.

If the air bent down
to silence
worm twist, ant scurry, bee whisk,
grass sigh, leaves’ excitement,
if the whole world held its breath
for just one second . . .
you could hear
the cheerful cricket in my heart.