Silent Applause

The Three Tenors- of the woods.

The busy day used up its light.

And, with the setting Sun-

fell the Night.

A misty curtain covers the stage-

while forest creatures line the way.

A twinkling star directs their path,

And a wise old Owl conducts the band.

-as if queued -

 the Moon beams bright .

Creating an alleyway 

to start the night.

An Eastern breath removes the veil.

and a landing loon swishes his tail.

A whippoorwill saunters to its post.

While the shy sleek dove sings alone.

Soon the three meld into one,

as "The Tenors," of the woods,

regale us in song. 

Sorrow pours from this piece, 

And with morning light

The grass will gleam.

Moistened by the sorrowful notes.

The tears of the forest

becomes a silent applaud.

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

This was an interesting read. I have never seen the word "sonder" used in this context before. To be quite honest I have rarely seen it in print at all. But I believed it to mean a feeling of insight and altruistic empathy akin to "walking a mile in another's shoes" sort of thing. It gives off a more mournful connotation here that left me pondering the usage. I'm an avid fan of birds and birdsong though. I love to feed and watch them out my kitchen window. I wrote a poem years ago titled The Choir Loft about a Sunday birdsong symphony I enjoyed once. This reminded me a bit of the old piece. Pastoral poetry by definition is a bit limited in its themes but birds are by far a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the read.

[Cherrie]

I thought about using sauntered because of the sound and image. But wanted to try out sonder with the melancholy vibe. Wasn't really sure if it worked.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The word has a somber melancholy sound when speaking it like the song of the whippoorwill. I can't deny the effectiveness of the description. I would definitely leave it for that reason alone. You can always claim poetic license...it covers almost everything from blasphemy to verbal parsimony, (laughing) I truly enjoyed the read.

[Cherrie]

This is the first time I've ever used sonder in a writing. I liked the leap from saunter to this notion. Funny how the mind leaps about :) thank you for considering the choice.

[W. Barrett Munn]

A wonderful decision with the metaphorical manner in which daylight is treated to kick off this poem, as if the sun has a choice.
Just an FYI: there is an agreement problem in the final two lines: grammatically proper would be: tears xxxx
become xxx.

Winston

[willweb]

My house is pretty much surrounded by what you might call a forest and I sat outside last night (as I do most night with nice weather) and listened to the birds singing from the varied collection of trees and shrubs. It was a wonderful sound. Your poem reminds of that beauty, your poems is nature.

[Cherrie]

Thank you Will. I've always enjoyed listening to nature and watching the seasons. Sounds like you are a bird of a feather 🪶

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we used to hear those whippoorwills at night in Vermont...and then in the mornings, the Bobwhites...
those sounds have stuck with me since...and that was sixty some years ago.
and that grass really gleamed.
I always wonder what is really going on in those forests at night.
j.

[Cherrie]

We can here the bobwhite . Around here they like the brush near the water.
We raised quail for a spell. I love hearing them as well.
I guess you didn't know the forest attend the theater as well. :)

[Lorry]

What a wonderful tale, fit for any Prince or princess' bedtime to let them fall into happy night night dreamy sleeps.
I shall keep an eye out for their Cd and World tour 😊

[Cherrie]

:) thank you Lorry