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| Muir Woods National Monument: a natural cathedral, photo by PeteBobb |
Most apparent when silence is the goal,
noise can be the sounded silence
of a child's sobs or make-believe
or a Meeting for Worship’s hush as
humans breath, cough and wake
in heightened awareness
of God’s presence.
Alone or together, we are akin to trees
our silence rustling and creaking welcome
to bugs and woodpeckers and wind,
to chipmunks and other passers-by.
We still ourselves, lean against
tall pine trunks or chair backs,
listen heart to heart.
For Sumana's prompt
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Silence
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2017 Susan L. Chast
Oh I like that our silence is the rustle and creak welcome to the little creatures...such a peaceful thought!
ReplyDeleteNice. While connected, each stanza can be a poem in itself.
ReplyDeleteI like how you give noise to silence in each, the first that it can be the sobs of a child. Which made me think of how some people make kids sit in silence as a correction, and it is heart breaking.
I really like the second, maybe because of my strong(er) nature connection here of late. I like how you relate us to trees and the creeking and the squirrels it makes silence feel alive. I find peace in the pseudo-silence of the woods and trees. A retreat for me.
To be there in the space of Waking " heightened awareness" & listening "heart to heart." is godly silence indeed. Another beauty, Susan.
ReplyDeletewe are akin to trees—
ReplyDeleteour silence rustling and creaking welcome
to bugs and woodpeckers and wind
As innocent bystanders, one is often helpless and is not able to act when it is apparent that injustice is perpetrated!
Hank
LOVE the various silences.......especially the Friends' silence which I imagine must be so peaceful and warm..........and love that "we are akin to trees". That we are!
ReplyDeleteWonderful poem or should I say two poems joined as one? Both are wonderful together and separate. I especially like the kinship to trees. I am a regular tree climber and sitter and have my best friend in the woods next to our house.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your poem and seeing a contrast between a spiritual silence, during a wake time and the silence found in a natural setting..broken only by birdsong or leafy trees. All forms of silence have their individual places and values.. Eileen
It's been many years since I've been in a meeting for worship, but your entire poem brought it all back to me...in silence. Amen.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to read them as two poems, complete in themselves. And my favourite would be the second one. Thanks for dropping by my blog today Susan
ReplyDeleteMuch💖love
Love the last stanza Amazing I felt myself leaning agains a trunk Listening heart to heart
ReplyDeleteSilence is beautiful but so too are the everyday sounds of our and others existence. Those of us who live alone cherish both the quiet of ourselves as well as that knock on the door that makes us feel less alone. Beautifully written Susan.
ReplyDelete"listen heart to heart" How beautiful is that kind of silence!
ReplyDeletethe simple "heart to heart," ....listening! You did a great job with this one!
ReplyDeleteLove your words.
ReplyDeleteSilence is a wonderful thing yet need not be necessarily silent.
I feel kinship with trees (although not a tree hugger) and find them most beautiful and I can gaze on them for hours. And how too, like us, they need the attention of others, to thrive.
Anna :o]
Lovely poem -- Robert Bly once wrote that humans coming together are like birds who weave imperfect nests. Silence is heard only or at best in our awkward embrace of it. Wonderful observation of the peripherals of silence.
ReplyDeleteSuch a tender and beautiful write
ReplyDelete'we lean 'and become silent' that is the golden voice...I heard silence when I read the poem
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely, Susan. I am delighted to discover thee is also a Friend! Blessings.
ReplyDelete