By Way of Explanation...

Hi all. I have decided that, by way of explaining my lack of material recently, I will post up the Discursive Writing assignment that I had to do. The task was to describe the noises outside your house at night. So here it is... (I'll let you know what I score for it as well):


Sitting on the back deck, the first thing I hear is the crickets singing their nightly tune. It is a chirruping symphony; clicking and whirring sounds so easily recognised permeate the air. A bird whistles softly, its calm flowing song complementing the crickets' score.

A little way down the street a car engine idles, periodically grunting mechanically as if it would rather be resting. Female voices cut through the air - sharp and high-pitched, they aggravate the otherwise calm atmosphere. Goodbyes are given; the car door closes with a gentle creak and the old vehicle rumbles off, sounding cantankerous. Newly laid tar grinds against rubber and spits out a harsh cackle.

Wind starts to gently stir the leaves of overhanging trees, which begin a sylvan rustling. The leaves scrape the iron roof of the car port, slow and methodical, scrape, scrape, they remind me of someone digging in moist earth with a shovel. My dog's leash hanging on the deck rail begins to swish, and then clap dryly against the solid wood.

The bug-zapper makes its trademark snap-hiss, a jolting, electric sound signifying the end for some poor bug or another. It fizzles momentarily, flaring white-noise for an instant, then the almost sub-sonic hum continues.

From next door comes a hollow click, and a strange blinking – almost like a spoon tapping glass - a fluorescent light is turned on. Padded footsteps descend the wooden stairs; muffled feet carry my neighbour to the garbage bin, which echoes dully as used bottles are thrown in. Clanking together, they strike something metallic with a sharp report.

During all this, my dog has padded up onto the deck, his overdue-for-a-clip toenails making a small clattering; he plonks unceremoniously down with a muted thud, and snorts loudly. He begins breathing with an odd whistle, and the occasional puff – sure signs he has gone to sleep.

Faintly in the distance an odd noise buzzes through the night, it pulsates at a deep, resonating level that is deeply unsettling for no apparent reason. There is something ominous to it, a deep throb that beats like some fearful heart – steadily it beats, not coming any closer but not moving away either. I have no idea what it is.

The wind is getting stronger; a rushing sound like water is pouring from the trees. The chime sways and pitches its mournfully ethereal song, tinkling in the darkness as the other sounds are engulfed by the night.