Noise

I hear noise today.
Lots and lots of noise.

The noise of students' pencils coloring in bubbles on an insane test that defines them but doesn't define them.
The noise of children playing Silent Ball.
The noise of students, overwhelmed by the three hour silence in which they are forced to remain.
The noise of bells releasing children to freedom

But even though the children are gone
and the building is silent
the noise continues.

The noise inside my head.

The questions
The statements
The doubts
The ideas
The loss
The joy
The anxiety
The fear
The excitement
The uncertainty
The pain

It is cacophonous.

And not even ear plugs can help...