Sounds

SOUNDS


Someone recently asked me if I would rather lose my sight or my hearing.  That seemed like a no-brainer, I never want to lose my sight.  I couldn't survive without my sight.  Wouldn't be able to drive.  I couldn't read any more.  I couldn't live on my on.  It would be too great a lose to me.

But there are sounds that I love to hear and would miss hearing them:

• the cries of newborn babies
• kids screaming to each other in the playground
• the slapping of the ocean's waves
• the crackle of fireworks
• the songs of Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Joan Armatrading, the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Prince, Johnny Cash, Cyndi Lauper, Neil Young
• other languages
• Gregorian chants
• coffee brewing
• a heart beat
• the roar of a lion
• the hammer hitting the nail
• the flute, the sax, the violin and other instruments
• tap dancing
• Chanting Buddhist monks
• Train whistles
• the crashing of ocean waves
• the fan on a hot summer night
• live theatre and concerts
• clapping after a great performance
• snapping of fingers
• beer being pored in to a glass
• a strong whistler
• crowds cheering right after a touchdown
• tap dancing
• coffee dripping from the coffeemaker
• owls screeching at night
• friends greeting each other
• the band at a halftime show
• pouring down rain
• a powerful voice
• the chirping of birds at dawn
• laughter
• rain on a metal roof
• thunder
• little kids giggling
• crickets on a summer night
• the orchestra warming up right before a performance
• a recording of my mother's voice
• the playful bantering between friends
• the podcasts of the radio show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
• books on CDs
• good comedy
• marching bands
• song birds
• the crackling of a fire
• the rustling of leaves 
• the howling of the wind
• "You're free to go", from the police officer as he hands me a warning
• Johnny Rivers' song Summer Rain