What does it matter, When I sit stiff in the dark Music pricking through my eardrums; Every single little strum of guitar string or a piano note; Swimming along through the bass clef lines The bassist, often undiscovered No person hearing his low, warm notes. His name is not on any Cover Not even in the 'artists' thoughts. But his every strum gets through Accompanied by a yelp from my throat The swirling snail in my ear Curls up tighter as the waves near, Fear. Paralyzed. in fear. The surge. Surge of thought No time to breathe No time to stop No time to think No time to drop No single remaining train of thought To listen to the bassists' notes. Instead, it's the dreaded screech; Singers voice racing through my head is too loud But my vocal cords never loud enough to make a pleasing sound A belching hound.