Sound and Light

Written during a visit to Spain,

 

 

Segovia

 

Iridescence applies

Shimmering light,

Brushing reality

Onto the canvas of memory,

Locking mind,

   Striking eye,

      Translated by

          Ochre,

               Turquoise,

                   Crimson Lake.

 

Fine fabrics,

   Stucco, flowers,

     Vegetables, fruits,

Arrayed abundance,

   Discordant

      Beneath Goya's azure sky

         Under which,

            Chords gently float.

A palette of sound,

Melding colour with tone.

 

Coloured tone,

   Timeworn stone

       Radiating heat of noon.

But soon,

 Shaded from the carmine glow of sun,

 Coloured with the violet sound of night

The stones reflect

 Sound and light

   From the fingers of Segovia,

    On the strings of Spain.

                                                                        John L. Berry

A tribute to a fine artist, a unique musician and a beautiful country.

Author's Note

Say what you really think

Reviews

[Jules]

This is astounding and enchanting and it just makes me want to experience it all for myself. Also mostly makes me grateful for your sharing because I feel in some small way that I HAVE experienced it, through your eyes and your beautiful words.

Truly incredible, and I loved the form of it, because it cast everything into stark relief.

[J]

Ohmygosh ........ how could "what I really think" be anything other than, "gees louise, I wish I'd written this!"

"Coloured tone,
Timeworn stone
Radiating heat of noon.
But soon,"

You've seen "When Harry Met Sally" ya? Well. In that vein I say ......... yes. Yes. YES!!!

Your form is true to the [in my mind] idealistic melding of senses that just cannot be separately expressed ~ when all is engaged, how else does one do it????

Like this. That is what I say. Like this.

Devine. ;-)
j

[Kate]

Great job satisfying the senses in this poem. The use of strong descriptive words and well developed imagery is everywhere in this poem. I feel that the most effective lines are those which you personified. I like this style for the piece. The short phrases better emphasise the feeling of really being there.

Awesome piece!

-Kate

[Nancy Lee Shrader]

Beautifully done. You have mixed color sound and light into one and brought forth light into a new and glorious beam.

Love this.

[Angel Baby]

Imagery...fantastic. Felt like I could see , touch , feel all Spain has to offer. The poem really caught my attention and held on to it from start to finish. Thanks for sharing this SUPERB poem!

[Samuel Dickens]

I've spent some time in Spain--mostly Barcelona and Palma De Mallorca, so your visions and descriptions are not foriegn to me. The artist and musician in me also resonates. A wonderment in words, John.

[S.J.Floreen]

I enjoyed the poem, especially the format of it.

[lauren emily]

This makes me really, really want to go to Spain. haha
They way you described everything is absolutely brilliant.
"Coloured tone,
Timeworn stone
Radiating heat of noon.
But soon,
Shaded from the carmine glow of sun,
Coloured with the violet sound of night
The stones reflect
Sound and light
From the fingers of Segovia,
On the strings of Spain."
Keep up the great work my friend!
~Lauren

The details are brilliant. I love how the poem is broken up into fragments. The words flow very well together and they make the reader actually stop and think about what they're reading, instead of just merely glancing at it.

[Silent Kim aka mizmetap..]

Coloured with the violet sound of night

Beautiful this line. The whole poem is very colorful in it's discription, you allowed me to enter your visual journey. Very nicely written.

[emmajoy]

Shall I say what i really think... you sure?

It's wonderful!

It's a fine, fine piece of writing! Love the rhythm of it, the metre, can almost hear the guitar.

The way you've described the scenes, the colour is incredibly true (know Spain) and you've done something I truly love, and love to do, mix music with colour to present a painting to the reader. You've danced the two together in a truly artistic way.

'Coloured tone, Timeworn stone Radiating heat of noon.But soon, Shaded from the carmine glow of sun, Coloured with the violet sound of nightThe stones reflect Sound and light From the fingers of Segovia, On the strings of Spain.' = the truth and nothing but the truth, beautifully expressed.