Irritations

It always seems to be the little things
Nonfunctioning computers, falling chairs,
A mattress with too many broken springs,
The sort of thing that, while no one cares
Too much about them on their own, will seem
The final straw when other things go wrong.
Large rocks will turn aside the rushing stream
The smaller ones inspire turbulence.
A note off-key within a favorite song,
A light that won't turn off, not matter what,
An explanation that just won't make sense,
Are little inconveniences, but
They gain importance in their context, when
They cause us to go "oh no, not again!"