Comfort Sounds

A favorite sound
Is that of the ceiling fan
As it turned back on after a long power cut
On a humid summer night in Alleppy.

And the cartoon sounds from the TV
From the hallroom where my brother’s watching
As I wake up on Sunday morning.
There’s no school and mom’s home.

And the Azan from the adjacent mosque
At dawn when I’m down with the books
Letting me know there’s not been a riot or an earthquake
And everything’s still alright this new day.