Breathing

This phonography
Breaks through
To my silence.

You picture
The music—
I run backwards.

One move at a time
At times is enough
To start a roll
Downhill.

I can’t hold
The silence,
Embrace it,
Let it go
On its own.

When I am broken,
I sleep more,
Dream less,
Can’t tell
Who is telling
The story.

Sometimes I'm proud to know you. This is one of those times.

When I am broken,
I sleep more,
Dream less,
Can’t tell
Who is telling
The story.


Amen, brother. When this happens to me, Peter, I just break into song. But somehow I get the feeling that a bunch of lyrics and music is not helpful to you (forgive me if I speak out of turn), just as sitting silently attempting to read a book only jumbles things up more for me. Wish I knew why I can't read.


You picture
The music—
I run backwards.

Funny, but there's a Nora Jones song and video that these lines remind me of. She's driving a car and there's a jogger on the road throughout the video. At the end of it, he's jogging backwards. That's neither here not there, but just thought I'd mention it.

In any event, thanks for posting. What would we ever do without you and your poetic stamina on this site? You are never at a loss for poetry and we are blessed for it.

Mary

You two, Merc and Mary, approval is hard for me to take, so watch it.

btw, Mary, some days I live for music and can't touch a book. If anybody asked me what kind of music I did not like, I'd be hard pressed to say...I grew up with brothers and sisters, eight of them, who taught me Hank Williams, Bobby Daren, La Boheme, and the King, as well as Frank Sinatra and Harry Bellefonte [sp?] and I added folk, acid rock, Vivaldi, Wagner and Bob Dylan...etc. I like any kind of guitar music, as long as the thing is tuned, and if your my friend, I'll even tolerate it if it ain't. I can't say I much like whiny country or vicious hip-hop, and my worst imagining is being locked in a room with someone singing country rap music...but if it was done right, I'd probably listen anyway...because I do love music. I used to try to convince my literature students that music was thing essential to being a human, even though my high school minister was tone deaf and was the most human being I ever knew.

You picture
The music—

is my, what's the word for senses crossing over, like smelling colors, or seeing scents, synaesthesia! Anyway, imagine living with a composer of music and watching her see the music before she puts it on the page. Most of the writers of music I've lived with did it that way...the rest just heard it in their heads and figured out the chords as they made up the songs.

bless you all,

Peter

Good one Peter, the final stanza is especially strong.

Les

I could do one thing for you. I could play the guitar, or any other instrument and make you hate some music.

I did sorta learn to play the hammered dulcmer. When I play a radio, it's out of tune.

But, having said that, I like all kinds of music except acid rock. I left country the day the Oak Ridge Boys recorded "Elviria" Not because of that song, but because of what country music became during that era.

My favorite song writter is Dvorak with Chopin and Mozart close second and third. Favorite group Berlin Philmaronic, second favorite, Kingston Trio.

My favorite author is the guy whose name I can't spell but he wrote The Little Prince.

My favorite man in history is Gen Patton and my favorite woman Natalie Wood.

I'm not so much well rounded, like you Peter, I'm just misguided.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2022 11:04AM by Merc.

When I am broken,
I sleep more,
Dream less,
Can’t tell
Who is telling
The story.

Beautifully expressed!

K.Q.

Thanks for dropping by, K.Q.,

amo,

Peter

I really liked this, It was very unique and made me feel and think of alot things. Nice work.

Peter:

Now I see why you don't spend a lot of time editing and rewriting your past work. If I had poems as intriguing and beautiful as this clamoring to be written inside my head, I, too, would spend a lot less time tinkering with what I'd already put on paper. This is excellent on many levels.

Joe

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2022 10:04AM by hpesoj.

Thank you both, Joseph and Named for visiting and commenting. Joseph, what a kind thing to say.

shalom, salaam

Peter

I love this,Peter

Thanks, Sherry. I forgot I wrote this...which gives me the treat of actually reading it as if someone else wrote it. thanks for bringing it up.

Peter

The first thing one does when they want to read a poem, they read the title. Next, the impression of that title is employed, once read, and measured to see where it fits in the poem. At least thats how it is for me.

I love the impression that comes from this poem. The very structure of that poem makes me feel as if I am holding my breath and just at the end, I release.

There is also this overwhelming impression of gradual release; just let it go and take it one step at a time. It fits perfectly.

Its beautiful,
Startle

Thanks, Startle, for your careful reading of the poem and your description of your reading process. Sometimes when I write a poem the title is the last thing I write, maybe as a kind of summing up of what the poem says.

Peter