"The weight of groans" Photography by Julie de Waroquier
Click HERE to view her website.
Linking with the Sunday Muse for Muse # 76
Also linking with Poets United for Poetry Pantry # 497
Come join us!
Linking with the Sunday Muse for Muse # 76
Also linking with Poets United for Poetry Pantry # 497
Come join us!
My voice used to carry
all the high notes as strong
As the memories that
songs hold now
On young ears music was
an escape
Wings that brushed
past heavy doors
Where longing and
hopes were louder
than the silences
that first tried to hold them down
rich lyrics of what
living was or could be
rolled across my tongue
whispered words of wisdom
asked, oh mirror in the sky what is love?
Then learning how to
live
Became a heavy lesson
that filled my
thoughts
like an orchestra’s echo
fills an empty room
you see with time
older ears learn to hear all the sounds
that silence cannot
take away
the memory of waiting
rooms
and bad news
linger in the heart
all songs become part
of a menagerie
that remind me of
what is lost
and of why I struggle
letting go
for every song is my
mother's arms
And all I cannot
hold.
Note: I know this is an overly sad poem, and
probably is a bit exaggerated, but it still holds truth in my heart. Over the years, I have found that music
reminds me so much of people I have lost, and hard times I have gone through
that it is just something my heart struggles with. Music is a reminder and it stirs old feelings
just enough to cause me pain. So much so
that sometimes I just have to turn the radio off. That being said, I still do
reach out and turn it back on eventually.
Interesting pic Carrie. There is nothing wrong with being sad. I haven't listened to the radio for years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Toni and i can relate, i rarely listen to the radio.
DeleteThis tugged at my heartstrings Carrie for the reason being that the anniversary of my brother's passing is coming soon for me. He had such a profound influence on me where reading, writing, and music go. I still cannot hear certain songs to this day because it'll bring me to my knees then I cry because I lost my best friend.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you Audrey! I cannot imagine the pain you have endured. Sending light and hugs your way.
DeleteThis is beautiful. From first line to last. "My voice used to carry all the high notes" struck home as I used to sing soprano until one of my vocal chords was partially paralyzed. There is a sadness to not sound the way one used to. And for me music is my father's language. Music is so very much linked to memory.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine how hard that would be to lose your soprano singing voice. Thank you so much for joining us Lori, and for your encouraging words.
DeleteThis is gorgeous. I love the way you describe the effect of songs both as a child and an adult; both feel absolutely true. I've been listening to music while writing lately and I do find that it sets me adrift in time as often as I can borrow a little emotion for a draft.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Chrissa. Yes, I do think music can provide a muse with the music. LOL
DeleteI do love your take on this. It is both true and heart breaking. I play the violin. I rarely listen to music anymore and prefer "classical". Music is linked to memories, some of them sad unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you play the violin Toni. I would love to hear you play, and yes, music is greatly linked to memories.
DeleteYes, there is sadness but in life we sometimes suffer heartbreak and loss. So, your words ring truths of reality. Music does remind us of loss.
ReplyDeleteVery true Truedessa. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining us this week. :-)
DeleteStrong though sad interpretation of the image Carrie— well written.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rob. Im glad you thought so.
DeleteThis is so beautifully written, it brought me to tears. I associate so many songs with times in my life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sara. Yes music plays such a big roll in our journey and listening to certain songs can take us right back.
DeleteVery sad picture and sad poem. Reflections or a hard life, sadly. But we shall all be lifted in the fullness of time.
ReplyDeleteYour words here are beautiful Eddie. Thank you.
DeleteOh, this may be a sad poem, but it is a GOOD poem and a poem that speaks reality. This is the kind of poem to savor and reread. I think we all can identify with this. It caused me to reflect on the songs / music of those in my life that I have lost....so much music in those songs, so many memories. Keep writing this kind of poem, Carrie. It speaks of life!
ReplyDeleteThe sadness works well for me, and I think it works so well with the picture. The thought of how music changes meaning when it reflects memories of things we might have lost.
ReplyDeleteThat is why we need to have new happy music to fill the void of the music we've lost.
"Every song is my mother's arms and all I cannot hold." I resonate so much with this beautiful poem. Music was so big for me when I was young and now, as you say, is so full of lost dreams, lost loves, heartbreak, that I dont listen to it as I once did. I love that you keep reaching out to turn it back on. I do, too.
ReplyDeleteThis picture is stunning and full of emotion. Though sad, your poem is based on reality and just confirms that you can feel. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly potent! I especially like; "rich lyrics of what living was or could be rolled across my tongue."
ReplyDelete"for every song is my mother's arms / and all I cannot hold" - a heart-wrenchingly beautiful line that brings your poem to a perfect close. What a touching journey from youth and not even knowing what we will have into age and experience and aching for what we once had or knowing what will never come to be. And all of it having assigned itself to lyrics and melodies that carry powerful sway over our emotions. I, like you, have learned to be careful about what music I'm listening to. Really a beautifully rendered concept and poem.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Carrie … few things, in this world, evoke memories, as impactfully as music … and you spoke to that here, with wisdom and insight.
ReplyDeleteolder ears learn to hear all the sounds
ReplyDeletethat silence cannot take away - such beautifully poignant lines, Carrie.
Yes, I think we need to find the balance between enjoying the memories and being grieved by them, and it won't always be predictable. It all makes for a lovely poem, though.
ReplyDeleteLoss is hard to bear. We try to deny that it is inevitable which just makes it all the harder. Lovely writing.
ReplyDeleteLoss is hard no matter the circumstances. My whole world is music and it has saved me more than once--Your piece touches that part that still feels hollowed out from loss--so beautifully penned
ReplyDelete