Claire, this is marvelous. In this world, is it possible to find sheer, complete silence? Like trying to find a night sky unaffected by human made light? I find I like the concept of silence, but may be leery of it as well. Thank you for such a thought provoking poem.
I agree with Celeste, Kate. Your poetry is superb, and accessible. I love your creative use of words, your use of rhythm and cadence, and the way you take the reader on a journey.
This is a wonderful poem, Rachel. “Until it tells me, quiet down please…” is such a wonderful transitional line. And the way you use words and space to turn.the.volume.down.
This is so moving, gentle and healing, Korie. On a hard and challenging day, your poem helps heal and ease the pain, thank you for your poems and prayers.
Silence is
a balm for the noise of life,
a respite in the sound clutter.
Refuge.
Rest.
A pause.
More than the absence of sound
deeper still than quiet,
elusive as mist
Worth the seeking.
This is so well done and thoughtful, Kate. And indeed, so very true.
Thanks!
Silence
speaks
volumes
when we choose to
rein in our voice
in
the
face
of
injustice.
I love the dwindling structure. What happens to us when we are silent.
Powerful!
This is a powerful witness and testimony, Elizabeth!
I don't get a lot
of you, but when I do? Oh,
how lucky am I.
Indeed! I like this, A.!
Deafening silence
The sound of whispered secrets
Held too long to speak
—-
Blossoming silence
Given room to percolate
Poured into vessels
I love this, Margaret! I also managed to use the term “deafening silence” today. So apt for these times.
I have heard
that silence is golden,
noise is white,
anger is red,
sadness is blue,
jealousy is green-eyed,
and transformation is
the color purple.
My silent soul is silver,
reflecting all that is unnecessary, absorbing only what is essential.
My mouth is now silent, but
my thoughts chatter still.
Time to settle in and listen
to the deafening silence of blood flowing through tributaries
and the relentless drumming
of my felt but unheard,
still beating heart.
Very nice, Dwight! I like your use of colors to describe emotions and settings. At least 3 of us used the term @deafening silence” today!
Yes, we are sharing wavelengths!
May silence infuse our hearts with wisdom.
May our fears be honored and accompanied by the strength of courage.
May we take the invitation to be peace.
I love this Trish, and today, it has been the perfect mantra and prayer for me. Thank you.
Silence
There is the silence of music:
one bowed note of a violin
or a brassy chord of trumpet, trombone, and tuba
hushing the noise of the world.
There is the silence of screaming:
the wail of a starving child
or the howl of a trapped animal
smothering the clamor of commerce.
There is the silence of rain:
the slash of a tropical torrent
or the suddenness of a summer downpour
drowning out the roar of life.
My heart pads on quiet cat’s feet
into the music
into the screaming
into the rain.
And there is
no
sound
at
all.
Just wow 🥹🙏
I love this! These three realms of silence. How deeply this reflects the overall theme for this month too.
This is beautiful, Barbara. The first line of the third stanza had me remembering a song by Eric Andersen “stop and Listen to the Rain.”
Silence…
`
Is it a tool
or a weapon?
`
Silence as a tool…
a place of retreat
a space for thinking
or healing
or grieving…
`
Silence as a weapon…
stark, cold anger
meant to freeze
another out
`
Silence…
`
Is it
a
Tool
or
a
Weapon?
I relate so much to these opposing forces of silence!
I like the thoughtfulness and provocation of this, Nancy? Dare say, could it be both and…
Silence
That elusive thing
I'm often chasing
Never finding
The house may be quiet
But the neighbour's telly blares
The yard may be quiet
But a few houses down someone is drilling
Even when the world around
Goes quiet
Even just for a moment
I struggle to quiet the chatter inside
And before I know it
The pause is over
And the noise resumes.
never finding. 🙂
silenced
Claire, this is marvelous. In this world, is it possible to find sheer, complete silence? Like trying to find a night sky unaffected by human made light? I find I like the concept of silence, but may be leery of it as well. Thank you for such a thought provoking poem.
Oh how I long
to be held
by the expanse
of silence.
You’re big enough to hold
what this mind cannot,
what this world has forgotten,
what I most fear.
There you are waiting,
like time—
ever escaping,
yet ever present.
May I hold you inside
and offer you
as an unexpected gift
to a noisy world.
It’s big enough to hold what the mind cannot - love this idea!
This is very sweet and tender, Kelly. And I want to say yes to the question you pose in the last stanza.
Thanks, Larry ☺️
suppose it is less like silence and more-so
a treasure trove
of infinite intricate happenings
of streaming symphonies through our blood,
which resound like great roaring waves
to the ears of the wax moth,
silver-haired bat,
and dormouse.
the three smallest bones in the human body,
played like a drum by this pulsing world,
might tell us how silence is more like a honey flow,
that cosmic cacophony
of all things too subtle for us to perceive,
that nonetheless we sense
and are pulled toward.
I hope you know that your poetry should be in a book. It is spectacular.
Omg. thank you 🥹
I agree with Celeste, Kate. Your poetry is superb, and accessible. I love your creative use of words, your use of rhythm and cadence, and the way you take the reader on a journey.
It eludes me
This alleged absence of sound
That must exist
In the deepest depths of night
Beneath the muffled laughter
Behind the closed doors of
My daughters’ rooms
Until they are quiet
Sleeping as I am sure
Only children can
And still there remains
The breathing of this house
The patter of rain against windows
The chatter of my mind
Reliving the events of the day
Questioning my decisions
Predicting tomorrow’s drama
Until it tells me, quiet down please
Nothing more to say
Nothing left to hear
The sounds may not go away
But you can
Turn down the volume
More, more, and more, yes,
All the…
Way…
Down…
And…
This is a wonderful poem, Rachel. “Until it tells me, quiet down please…” is such a wonderful transitional line. And the way you use words and space to turn.the.volume.down.
Silence is most crisp
When the kaos before it
Is most ear-piercing
Aha! Yes!
Silence reminds me
There is more
To life than chaos
And meetings
And deadlines
And expectations…
Silence reminds me
There is more
To my heart than
I can ever imagine
Or know in thought
Or put into words…
Silence reminds me
There is more to
Stillness than sitting
Or laziness
Or cessation -
Matter of fact there is Life.
This is so moving, gentle and healing, Korie. On a hard and challenging day, your poem helps heal and ease the pain, thank you for your poems and prayers.
Thanks for reading, Larry.
It is my blessing, Korie!
There's a lot to hear
In the silence
A lot to see
In the dark
A lot to feel
When you're frozen
Seriousness
In the lark
There's a lot to know
In the mystery
A lot of jumps
When you're still
A lot to laugh
In the crying
Weirdness
In run-of-the-mill
There's a lot of quiet
In loudness
In the dark
With the shadows I see
Peaceful din -
Outward within -
In the silence
Is where I meet me
Moving...
This is wonderfully rhythmic and creative, Sarah! I like the cadence and rhythmic flow, and your use of rhyme in lines 4 and 8 in each stanza.
Silence
I'm never really left in silence
Though it fills my day
Could haves, should haves, shouldn't haves
All get in the way
An inner voice that speaks to me
Relentlessly it calls
Of people in their groups of friends
Oblivious to walls
Of memes and schemes and broken dreams
Plans of future bliss
Of children grown and living full
A life life that I will miss
Very nice, Joe!