If you walk in the woods as I do
Not far from an urban center
The human noise backdrop is always there
Nearby traffic and planes overhead.
If you are an older person as I am
Sounds do not fully separate.
The ability to selectively tune out
Some sounds from other sounds
Limits information
Decides some is noise to be ignored
Like static on a radio or snow
On an old time airwave TV show.
I hear everything commingled.
Nothing is filtered out.
There is no illusion about these woods
Where I am seeking the natural world.
What an auditory delight it was
Walking in the woods on vacation
Hearing the background silence
Amplify our footsteps.
