We are the children of the night

I have spent a good part of my life in cities. It was only a few years ago that I realized how differently my senses work.

Those who are wired like me know what it’s like. Everyone else can only take note of it or perhaps imagine it.

At night, the noise in my ears and eyes recedes. Yes, visual noise is also real.

It is unclear where it originates that I sense other living beings in my vicinity. Perhaps it arose in childhood as a useful perception for escaping real dangers.

The day robs me of strength with its chaos of visual and auditory noise. The sensations of so many strange inner lives add to the cocktail. When I listen to music with headphones which reduce ambient noise, I can protect at least one of these three senses.

The night is more coherent in my ears and eyes and the majority of people are relaxed. Together, this is balm for my inner life.