Surrounded by Silence

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consider ..............

a life without sound

where you become locked

inside your own thoughts

caught in a world of silence

unable to hear the bark

of branches of a silver birch

as they creak under the weight

of a heavy green canopy

or the drone of honey bees 

as they hover over honeysuckle

tumbling from fretwork trellis

like a fountain in spring

nor would you hear the high

pitch whistle of a red kite as it

soars in flight in a bright blue

sky ready to swoop for a kill 

the thrum of an old engine

polished till gleaming as it

kick starts its way into a brand

new day would be unheard

as would the mellow voice

of a lover whispering sweet words

that you are loved beyond all

measure

hearing is a gift, a good friend

a treasure trove since there

are no guarantees that it will

remain unimpaired

Reviews

[Scatterbrain bookworm]

I really enjoyed reading this poem. It allowed me to appreciate my ability to hear a lot more and makes me wonder just how different and even difficult life without sound is for hearing impaired individuals. Thank you for allowing me to ponder on what life would be like without sound, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.

[Inessa]

The idea of a life without sound is quite frightening. It's almost an invisible sense that we pay no real attention to and take its purpose for granted. To suddenly lose it would be a huge shock and adjustment to make. Such people suffer in this silence yet very rarely complain from my experience. It is very isolating but I guess it just toughens the resolve to keep on getting by as best one can. I admire those who lose a sense and yet are never bitter for it. It's real courage to me. It's nice to read an originally themed write, Christine. Very different from what we usually read here, so very well imagined and expressed.

[Chris Shaw]

Such a thoughtful review Inessa and I thank you for it. Have yourself a good Sunday. All the best.read moreSuch a thoughtful review Inessa and I thank you for it. Have yourself a good Sunday. All the best.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

Nice write Chris, a world of one's own silence like living in a bubble and yet a mole is blind and is happy digging tunnels. Hearing is important as is all the senses.

[Chris Shaw]

How true Andrew, all our senses are so important and yet not really appreciated. We take them for granted. I appreciate and thank you for the visit. Take care.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I agree............:)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my landlord is deaf...and I think about what he is missing, but it also makes me ponder...if i had a choice and had to lose one or the other...sight? or sound?
I think I would rather not have a dark world...
But this poem makes us stop and appreciate the gift of senses that we have.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I agree Jacob, sight would be harder to bear, but loss of hearing is isolating too. We do take our senses for granted don't we? Many thank yous.

Chris

[light and ashes]

As someone who is extremely sensitive to sounds....it is a double edged sword for me, but I am thankful for being able to hear.
I have also heard things that have sent me flying higher than that kite in the sky.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Light and Ashes for sharing your thoughts. Pleased to see you visit.

Chris

[light and ashes]

You're welcome, it was a good piece of writing. I enjoyed it.

[Dave]

I believe I'd go crazy if I lost my ability to hear. Yes, one could argue that there are so many sounds we wish we could shut out forever. As you point out there are so many, many more that delight us.
I often go to YouTube and hear some of the presentations of Beethovens' 9th. I find it so stirringly beautiful, yet at its conclusion, I often find myself in tears. I know that he was deaf when he wrote it, that when he conducted its premiere performance, someone, in the orchestra had to turn him toward the audience so he could see them applauding him and his music.

Chris - thank you and take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Yes Dave. music would be an incredible loss if hearing should go. I love all kinds of music. We take our senses so much for granted and yet people are losing their hearing all the time. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Dave]

Chris - I'm with you - I'm very eclectic in my love of music. My younger daughter has even gotten me to appreciate Country and Western.
We must all learn to appreciate our senses more, you are sooo right.
Take carte of yourself - Dave

[John the Baptist]

Not to mention never hearing Bach, Handel and Vivaldi.

[Chris Shaw]

Of course, music lovers, (and I count myself one of them) would be bereft. The lark ascending by Vaughan Williams one of my favourite classical pieces. Thank you John.

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Meaningful poetry.
Hearing is a precious gift.
Why are most humans so dense that it takes the loss
of something before we truly appreciate its worth?
Applies to senses--and, often, loved ones.

[Chris Shaw]

So right Jimmy. We don't appreciate what we have till it's gone. Thank you for your thoughts.

Chris

[Lydia Shutter]

All of our senses are taken for granted. Your words are filled with love of nature and humanity. We must appreciate all we have and cherish it. Those who have lost hearing, sight, touch suffer in ways we can not imagine...and hopefully never will. Beautifully written. Lydi**

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Lydi**. So appreciate your thoughts. Take care.

Chris

[Olivia Danielle]

This poem is truly beautiful, and it really does make me think that hearing is something I should appreciate and not take for granted since it can and will be gone one day. Thank you for sharing this poem!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Olivia for leaving a thoughtful response. Your visit is much appreciated.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

It is amazing how we take our senses for granted then it is all regrets when we lose these treasures. Hearing is one of those great senses. Life will be so hard without it. Hearing the cry of a child, birds singing, winds howling, rains pitter and patter, cars honking, trains passing, teachers teaching, lovers whispering and so forth. I hope no one will go through that. But I'm glad modern science is solving some of the problems. You write truthfully and marvelously.

[Chris Shaw]

Sami, thank you for this wonderful review. Yes, science is improving all the time so hopefully the profoundly deaf aren't totally isolated. I do hope all is good in your world. Keep safe and well my friend.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All is well. Thank you. You are welcome any time.