a clash of sounds

I should be doing things
cranking up my portfolio
dusting furniture
cooking

instead

I get distracted
by the raucous crowing
of a hen
sawing at the still air

and

Nature
as though wanting
to keep the balance
drops dulcet droplets
of birdsong
into the gaps

the wind
plucks on leafy strings
trying out new tunes

but

through it all
the clock delivers
the sound
of chopped-up time
to my unwilling ears

tinny and thankless
it accumulates
in a growing heap
on my mind
and grows heavy
with guilt

~~~