What I Hear

New York is divided into five boroughs and the borough I reside in is Queens. The area can be hectic and noisy if you live near the busy train stations that get you to Manhattan in less than an hour or it can be peaceful and quiet if you live farther away from public transportation. The neighborhood I reside in is Queens Village and it is a mix of both of those descriptions. It is not too far from the city since there are many buses as well as a railroad that can transfer people to the subway. It is also not too close to the city and popular train stations for the neighborhood to be too noisy.

As I walk around my neighborhood and take a moment to hear what's around me, I recall the sighing sound of the wind through the trees. The term howling usually connects with the sounds of wind, but in my area it sounds almost peaceful and hearing it gives me the feeling of being welcomed home. For example, after coming from a long day of class in the city, I walk and hear the trees move in the wind. I start to feel the calmness of home envelope me, reminding me that I am far from the crowded corners of Manhattan and the tall, static buildings that contain sound inside made by people but outside they simply stand hollow. I also hear sounds of leaves crunching by people who walk along the sidewalks every now and then as well as the barks from neighborhood dogs. I hear several cars and buses drive by. There are sounds of laughter and conversation coming from children and people in the neighborhood. The rumbling sound of the railroad train is heard every now and then since it doesn't come as often as the subway trains. The only unexpected sounds are the sounds of cars beeping because there is rarely ever traffic here. As the day comes to an end and all these sounds slowly diminish, the sound that still remains is that of the soothing wind in the trees.