between the fifth and the ninth

 

between the fifth and the ninth

 

 

 

beloved Beethoven's ear

the deaf pinnacle

of symphonic walks in the forest

a culture of music

he cannot hear the crickets sing

or the flutter of birds' wings 

in the drifting fog

 

finding his way into the first note

then the second, then the third

like uncovering leaves on a moonlit night

one by one

until the crescendo is something

he himself can also hear

and maybe in the recesses of his mind

he does

 

he knows what sounds

fly south for winter's breath

and those that fly north

to appear in movements

of creativity

 

now there is a quiet

the soft rustling

of the forest floor

and the trees hang sad and silent

as pallbearers

to genius

 

buried a thousand times

within the grooves

worn down by the needle

of time.

 

 

erin-cilberto

4/27/23

Reviews

[andrew mitchell]

Feeling the vibe and hearing only what you want to hear. Isn’t that the way to shut out other noises.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

if we could only pick the sounds that we hear.
thanks, andrew,
j.

[willweb]

I do not believe one needs to have the ability to hear to have the ability to create music. It just depends on how one defines music. to place a value to a key, to lace those values to form a melody, to weave the values to create music. Makes you wonder...and some can't even buy milk without the government's assistance.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

what a great reply...thank you, will,
j.

[emmajoygreen]

' now there is a quiet -- the soft rustling -- of the forest floor -- and the trees hang sad and silent -- as pallbearers -- to genius '

Jacob, what beautiful words.your poem offers: for me, the above sings. .

How is it that certain people wonder if they have something special inside their being? Do they explore, do they find inspiration in an unknown way? Has research shown how genius has searched or does search for its own genius ?

As to Beethoven . he had been able to hear and that via sound vibration was able to continue composting.. more than likely because he HAD to do so. Thank the Loed for that!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

those Good Vibrations...
thank you for these words showing art is on the inside for sure.
read morethose Good Vibrations...
thank you for these words showing art is on the inside for sure.
j.

[Lorry]

This is so a poets thoughts on something I have struggled with to even comprehend.
I remember seeing a documentary about Evelyn Glennie, a a famous Scots percussionist who was also deaf and it made sense how she felt the vibrations. I believe her biography was called good vibrations and it just blew my mind that someone deaf could entertain the hearing world with music. I think it still does. It's not like you see many blind pilots, but I just put it down to their talents being too good to be stopped by such a thing as being deaf.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

some succeed brilliantly, regardless.
j.

[John the Baptist]

Every time I hear the ninth symphony, I can't believe the man who wrote it was stone deaf. The metaphor of uncovering leaves on a moonlit night is brilliant.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, John,
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem shared Jacob. Beethoven create the masterpiece of his time. He was a miracle and thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

It is amazing to think that his hearing disability which isolated him from the sounds of nature and all we take for granted, could give us such wonderful classical music. How on earth could he do that? Sheer genius, his music is timeless.
This is a beautiful tribute to him, who has given so much joy to others. His loss has been a gain for so many. There is a sadness in that. I love this poem J.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, how on earth?
thank you, Chris,
j.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Jacob, this is really beautifully sad. He made music for others to hear that he couldn't hear with ears himself. I think it rose and resonated from his soul. This makes me think of Robin Williams and how he suffered while making others laugh. Those who have known the most pain do everything to keep others from feeling the same.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, comedians, composers...give so much joy to others while feeling so much pain themselves.
This is such a thoughtful review, Linda...
thank you.