a sound

photo by ellie cashman

there is a sound loss makes

one that only a few can hear

it cuts through the air like a a knife through butter

a medley of might-have-beens

with a crescendo played on rusted piano keys

operatic voices try, but can not sing the words

if indeed they were even written

sotto voce to most....just out of earshot

and yet to me it is pulsating, thumping, vibrating

a forte bellowing into my very soul

a rush of air

deflating my balloon of hope

blowing petals into the wind

yes i have heard the sound loss makes

Reviews

[Kelly Scheppers]

It's been 5 months since I lost my best friend, and I'm still tethered to the day he died. The sound of his loss resonates through my life like a clock ticking...pulsating with the very beat of my heart. He surges through me, like the wind...yes, I have heard the sound loss makes.

Compelling and most beautiful. Thank you, Lydi!

[Lydia Shutter]

((((Kelly))))) so sorry for your loss. Those who have loved have felt loss. Unfortunately we are left with memories. I so appreciate your wonderful review, but I am sorry you can relate to my words. Lydi**

[AYVID N]

I've heard those sounds and know them so well...

...Footsteps walking away for good...
...a hammer nailing a loved-one's coffin...
...a door being shut forever...
... the sound of silence...

And then... one can only wait for the crescendo to peak and play out...the sounds of heartbreak to cease...and the thrum of life to take over.

Such amazingly beautiful poetry, Lydi...you brought me to tears...

[Lydia Shutter]

Your review touched me, Divya. Thank you so much. The lines you have written here could be a poem in and of themselves.
Lydi**

[AYVID N]

It was my pleasure to read this truly inspiring poem. You’re most welcome, Lydi...

[Einstein Noodle]

dear Lydia ... so powerful .. wish i had thought of the "...sound that loss makes" ..captivating and poignant .. your poem takes the breath out of me .. so very well done says i ... loss it incorruptible .. one can not go far in life without it striking ... its fire can cleanse or drive one towards a certain destruction of the soul .. i love this poem ... it speaks loud and clear .. stunning photo as well .. i am deeply touched ... reconnected to me own losses ... sheesh, Lydia .. very real poetry!
E.

[Lydia Shutter]

WOW, E....this is quite the review! I am sorry I reminded you of your own losses for I know how that can sting. However, I thank you from my heart from your wonderful review. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

well done! its a keeper for sure!

[redzone]

loss and its sound are often indescribable Lydi, and yet your words do more than describe, they make the sounds feel in your heart... a sound and feeling that is never forgotten in the same way they (our loved ones) are never forgotten... such a deeply moving, "nice" poem Lydi...

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Curt. Your "nice" reviews are very special to me. Lydi**

[Ken Simm.]

What a superb if sad concept Lydi. Beautifully charged with just the right amount of emotion to make that ulimate line exceptional. A tour de force if ever there was one.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Ken. Lydi**

[Ardra]

Mmmmm....the heart wrenching sound....the one you have captured in your words so beautifully...
Its like a sad song that keeps playing and only the one in pain can hear it...

[Lydia Shutter]

Precisely, Ardra. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

.. ' there is a sound loss makes - one that only a few can hear - it cuts through the air.. '

From word one til the last, in my own way. I could feel your pain and how you voiced it. Never quite understood if that's how it's supposed to be, that awareness IS is silent.. that noise would jar mind and heart, perhaps?

Even so, loss really does have a sound: if sound itself could be called invisible but distinctly felt, then it's how it is, always there. Tis proof in a strange that loss itself can fling itself into the air and touch heart and mind indefinitely..

Your writing touches too, Lydia, deeply and beyond. I/we lost our brother not so long ago, he was the oldest sibling, and for me, my closest friend. Reading your tragic words, so full of hurt, did make me feel that pulsating vibrato. Thing is, i know Josh wouldn't want that.. but to remember happy times. However, when shadows follow one's tread it's hard as..

[Lydia Shutter]

So sorry for your loss, Emma. I am sure you were close to Josh. You have such a sweet heart. Yes, remembering happy times is the way to go. May Josh's memory be a blessing always. Thank you so much for the lovely review. Lydi***

[emmajoy]

Hope you won't mind but came to read your response to me and then, read my review. It was so poorly put that i've edited it, hopefully not abusing what i'd previously said. Please let me know if you disapprove.

[Lydia Shutter]

I never could disapprove of you, my friend. Your words are precious to me.

[emmajoy]

How very kind, thank you, Lydi. Hug.

[barleygirl]

Many have expressed how the death of someone close is a feeling that never stops haunting, but your poem is some of the best I've heard it expressed, so powerfully, with metaphors that feel like they are plowing this ground into ragged dirt clods! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks very much, Margie. Lydi**

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice poem. I enjoyed it. The feeling of losing someone will never go away.

[Lydia Shutter]

Very true, JungLee. Thank you for reading and commenting. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

Lydia the palpable pounding percussive poignancy placed in this poem is perfection!
However I am left feeling very sad for you in your lamenting lines of loss and I am left hoping that within those silent bellowing screams a whisper of love can penetrate the noise in a billow for your heart's loss:( I have lost many over the years but never been truly severed and can only imagine the level of pain you must feel but this poem gives me a sense of it:(

[Lydia Shutter]

Wow, alliteration in a review...you are amazing. Thank you for your empathetic response, Robert. I appreciate it. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

O'lydia if I could hug you thru the screen I would! you have such a lovely heart:)

[Lydia Shutter]

You are a sweetheart....thank you.

[John the Baptist]

"a medley of might have beens." This poem is a collection of some of the sharpest, most impactful images I have seen in a long time. I had never thought of loss as having a sound, but I am convinced of it now. One has to have a strong acquaintance with loss to be able to write about it in this manner. Well done.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, John. I appreciate your review. Lydi**