Muted Words

A poem about waiting for the phone to ring . . .

I wait, listening for so long

to hear you sing me your love song.

I dream of sweet, soft melodies

in mists of cherished memories

while I hear my phone not ringing

and a longed for voice not singing.

Whispers not heard in the silence

are my mentors in your absence.

The music of my heart's soft beat

in echoes often does repeat

the sounds of loving words once said,

the cries of passion from our bed.

In syllables of muted words

I catch the notes of joyous birds.

At the ends of unsaid phrases

I hear hymns that sing love's praises

and with pauses in expression

I compose my own translation.

But when my heart begins to sob,

its beat becoming just a throb

my doubts begin to sing alone

my sadness cries without a tone.

Should I wait for you forever,

Will we sing once more together?

Author's Note

Graphics credit: Google Images

Reviews

[icelandicblue]

Oh to be a slave for that sweet sound! I felt the anxiety and longing in your words:

In syllables of muted words
I catch the notes of joyous birds.
At the ends of unsaid phrases
I hear hymns that sing love's praises
and with pauses in expression
I compose my own translation.

It is in the silence that we suffer the most.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks for reading my poem and letting me know your feelings, Anne. I have, in my time, waited for the phone to ring in vain. Luckily, that was a long time ago - it can be a very painful experience.

[Frieda P]

Wow, this one brings me back, like an eternity waiting for that damn phone to ring, and then it never does and your entire world shatters, I felt the pain and yearning in this one Joyce.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Frieda, for your nice review. I appreciate your taking the time to read and review my work.

[Frieda P]

You always hit a chord Joyce, my pleasure.

[PANTHER811]

Excellent in style Joyce. The expression of the content and the penning of same where both art and prose as one. My personal take on the question goes back before Mr. Bell, huh...so do I. Oh well, loved the read Joyce.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you for your wonderful review, Tom. It means a lot to me and makes me smile.

[PANTHER811]

And smile you shall, it's easier on face than a frown.

[Rita L. Sev]

Waiting... a minute seems an eternity when we wait... You captured the loneliness and that tinge of hope well in this piece, Joyce.

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Rita. I really appreciate your very nice words.

[Mark Heathcote]

A deep long here nicely written.

[Lydia Shutter]

There comes a time when one has to say, "Is it worth it?" If the pain is greater than the pleasure, it is time to move on. Palpable longing for what once was and may never be again in this bittersweet write, Joyce. Good rhyming too!

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks, Lydi. Haven't felt that way for a long time, but the memory never goes away. I appreciate your leaving your thoughts behind very much.

[MsJewel]

Call him - or replace him! - easier said than done I know....

I enjoyed this side of your writing Joyce. The frustration and emotion are heartfelt. I love the line
Whispers not heard in the silence
are my mentors in your absence
there is longing here and sadness that just curls right up in my heart.
Another amazing poem by an amazing writer!

:) Julie

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Julie, you have made my afternoon much brighter. I appreciate your words very much.

[rutherford]

Great rhythm and rhyme. Wonderful exploration on the power of words and how closely we connect them to love and emotion. You bring out the idea of the spoken word -- spoken by a loved one -- is almost like a living being itself. Favorite lines: "Whispers not heard in the silence/are my mentors in your absence."

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, rutherford. This is a wonderful review, and I am smiling very broadly. I respect your thoughts a great deal.

[Tom]

A muted phone for those waiting on a call and that familiar bring, bring sound can indeed be an objective of extreme frustration and disappointment, causing the lonesome, yearning mind to wander!

Enchantingly penned in poetic terms !

[Joyce S. Greene]

What a wonderful review, Tom. Many, many thanks. I appreciate your reading my poem and leaving your thoughts behind very much.

[Angi]

I am so fortunate to be happily married. I can remember waaay back when...in the olden days...waiting on that old rotary phone to ring. (Ha! My 14 year old daughter and I saw one at an antique shop and she was amazed by the thing.) I hope it will always be easy between us. I cannot imagine otherwise. Angi~

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thanks for reading my poem and letting me know your thoughts, Angi.

[Emerald Seas]

Well, if the phone doesn't ring at all, I say find another caller :)
If they make you wait with no word, there is no love there.

There is a great flow to the poem and the emotion is strong throughout - well expressed!

[Joyce S. Greene]

Thank you, Sera. Your thoughts mean a lot to me.