I work in a hospital, and the HVAC systems are in a constant whirl. My desk sits underneath an air duct that constantly blows out air to cool or heat my office. There’s a thermostat to control the temperature, but there’s no way for me to stop the flow above.
Except, on rare occasions and for unknown reasons, the air stops, and my office becomes silent, and I become calm. It’s always an unexpected moment of relief, lasting but a few minutes.
I appreciate the quiet, the stillness. I crave it.
© Anton Zuiker