from where i sit.

from where i sit on market street, i hear sirens at least once a day. you'd think the sound would be familiar by now. but these sirens don't sound like sirens for at least 6 whole seconds before i realize what i'm hearing. until then, they sound like music, strange warped music, like high-pitched wind instruments being pumped through burbling water. and even though that sound has become recognizeable, i still have trouble identifying it. for at least 6 whole seconds.