Breath

Cherry

By Philip Sidney

Sat, 06 Jun 2015
  • 7058 reads
20 comments
 

I listen

hard to hear

the low drone carved from air

drifting with the wind

across space

and time

 

a sound from those distant

hidden places

where quiet people made music

felt the weight of wood and stroked

a bow across a string

made vibrations that travelled

 

like our ancestor, who took a zither

on a sailing ship across the world, to Australia

you have a look of him, a sensitive face

think of him, beneath a eucalyptus tree

plucking a tune to ruffle the air, to let

the world know that he was there

 

there’s an exhibition in Reykjavik

around the corner from you

a hybrid instrument, the lokkur

part-langspil-part-spinning-wheel

found in America that

Icelandic settlers played

 

perhaps they longed to recreate

wild intonations of northern gales

or to spin out a thread of breath

that might whisper in the ear  

of one left

behind.

Certificate 12
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

beautiful!

 

Submitted by Bee on

Delicate and yes, very beautiful,

Bee

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much both! smiley

 

And thanks for the cherries. : )

Submitted by Deliberately Ev... on

This is so pretty - I can hear the music. I wonder what this would be played to?

The beat of your heart is the mellifluent rhythm to my soul.

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks AE, I was imagining a lyre strumming away, in a fit of whimsy.  So glad you liked it.  : - )

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Have you consided the damage that could be done to your shoulder if I have to continually slap you on the back in appreciation of constant streams of great poetry trotting forth from your stable? In Australia the tones would dance in the haze of the heat rise and fall and woft away. Australians in the outback tend to spit on their hands, rub them together and then slap one's back with hardened hands. Tis a compliment downunder mate! But I worry about your shoulder all the same. Nice piece Phiilip

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I just love your enthusiastic responses Art, they lift my spirits.  I have an affinity with your side of the world, I was brought up in NZ, very many years ago.  I didn't find out about one of my great greats... who apparently brought the zither to Australia then was in the piano business in NZ, until recently.  It's a small world.  Miss that beautful country you live in.  : )

Submitted by Art of the Diver on

Thank you for lifting my spirits Philip... ah you are a Kiwi at heart then no wonder your words vibrate as well as the beat within the heart of works. My enthusiaism for life was foundered in my childhood, though it's often misinterpreted by others as being that which it is not, it's part of who I am and most genuine. Kia Ora

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

We're lucky to have had that childhood!  Haere mai!

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I love the feeling of soft tones from strings that seem as the winds and gales and droning breath. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Rhiannon. : )

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Helen

Beautifully done, as always, and an interesting piece of information. I certainly had never heard of an instrument shaped quite like that.

I love your choice of words - always special.

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thanks Jean, I thought the historical/anthropological aspect would appeal to you. : )

Submitted by VeraClark on

The way you've invoked the past with gentle words and sound is transporting. Ghostly in a longing way.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Your comment is like a small poem, thank you, Vera.

Submitted by J.L.Hamilton on

This is astounding. The final stanza is so gorgeous. I joined this site to get feedback of which I do not get much but reading work like this, I feel, is perhaps just as helpful.

Inspired.

Jeremy Hamilton

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you so much JLH, I'll take a look at your writing.  Because new pieces are always put up older pieces can get missed. :)

Submitted by J.L.Hamilton on

Thank You, I only have four short poems and one short short story.

Plan to read much more and give feedback and post more content.

Wonderful site.

Jeremy Hamilton

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Don't know how I missed this poem Helen,

The title summed up this poem perfectly, that second stanza reminded me that music can hold a message with each breath to send out to the world.

Beautifully done and very much enjoyed reading.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Thank you Jenny! smiley