Operatic Fever

Operatic Fever

A Poem by icelandicblue

I do not understand
their language but the
power of voice and timbre
grab me and shake
the meaning from my core.

The secrets, they lie like thieves
waiting to steal a promise
of happiness and replace it with
a broken replica filled with shadows.

Tears wrought for foolish pride
and sacrifice glide down my cheeks,
salted raindrops caught
in the corners of my down turned mouth

as the deathbed scene plays
havoc with my heart until
I want to scream at them all,
had you known the truth...

would it had even made a difference?

© 2013 icelandicblue


Author's Note

icelandicblue
captch: maimer

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Featured Review

Nicely penned. I am reminded of the opera sequence in The Shawshank Redmption where Red said ...

"I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don't want to know. Some things are best left unsaid. I'd like to think they were singing about something so beautiful, it can't be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it.

I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free."

youtube.com/watch?v=azWVPWGUE1M

Posted 11 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

God, that gave me goosebumps it was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. Opera is otherworldly.. read more



Reviews

you have captured the feeling so well here, i partake in it and (mis)place it to Romeo and Juliet, although it's not an opera, just to say you've done an excellent job to evoke feeling and excite imagination.
"the
power of voice and timbre
grab me and shake
the meaning from my core."

excellent lines, heartfelt and intricate.
May I point out, yu may have forgotten to delete one of the two words "by" or "in" here:
salted raindrops caught by
in the corners of my down turned mouth

Overall, one of my favourites!

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thanks so much joidevivre. Also many thanks for pointing out that extra word- which I have now remov.. read more
I love the flow of this piece catches myself in the humbleness questing for this act of linguistic treason damned with the conscious stream written in....great piece

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Again, I appreciate your perspective it is fresh and unique.
Yes, we do not need to understand the language at all. I can watch or listen to a complete opera without knowing the story and still enjoy it immensely. I love the way the voices convey emotion. The composers were genii and way out on their own. This poem says it all. Thanks for sharing. Mozart and Verdi are my two favourites.

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thank you Daffy for your review. Sometimes the emotion wrought through the tremendous singing is all.. read more
You response to song and actions in an opera is so well described...I can visualize your raw emotion expressed through you tears, yet you understand that the true meaning of the opera's story is evasive. Great write!

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thank you for reading!
To sing with the emotion, to listen to those actors who sing, (mostly in Italian), is so beautiful, I remember an eve at Napoli (Naples) when I lived there, I went to the opera, all dressed up, it was fantastic, I have the luck to understand those but in the time I didn't before I learned the language, I probably would have felt like you here, with all the emotion, that can not be placed and needs to get out somehow... :) I would love to hear an opera in a language I don't speak. (for the same effect). This was magical, and it took me, as touched me.

- Elisa

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thank you Elisa, it is a pure sensory experience when you don't understand the language. Thank you f.. read more

11 Years Ago

Yes, that's so true. I loved this write, it was diverse and I've never ever read a poem on here abou.. read more
Your words are sad, but your poem so wonderfully composed. Your words are powerful and yes opera does indeed bring forth these emotions.

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thanks wordwarrior for gracing my poem with your comment. ; )
It's so true...whether one understands the language of opera or not, the emotive nature of opera envelopes the listener! Your words are intense and powerful.

"The secrets, they lie like thieves
waiting to steal a promise
of happiness and replace it with
a broken replica filled with shadows." Incredible simile and imagery! Very well written. Lydi**

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

You are so kind. Music is a universal language. Thanks Lydi*
Kinda foreboding. Even a little scary. Good one Blue

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Opera is always foreboding and scary...you're right on the mark on that one.
had you known the truth...
would it (have) even made a difference? -- strong lines...my favorites from the piece.

I'm reminded of youth in this piece...or more pointedly, of someone having that youthful realization that transforms them into an "adult" (or gives shadow to the innocence once enjoyed). There is a melancholy about this one, but also a fever that fills the page (and my mind) with introspective longing. I enjoyed this one...I shall ponder it for a while I think.

Posted 11 Years Ago


icelandicblue

11 Years Ago

Thank you for such a thoughtful and introspective comment Sarah.

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Shelved in 2 Libraries
Added on October 26, 2013
Last Updated on November 22, 2013

Author

icelandicblue
icelandicblue

Boston



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I do not accept any new friend requests unless we have read and commented on each others poetry. No exceptions. I have enough homework as it is. I expect reciprocity in our exchanges. Read my work and.. more..

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