Silence is a complete lack of sound, or if in people, an inability or refusal to speak. This is a definition by a dictionary, so probably a good way to commence. Now silence isn’t something that is synonymous with me usually, but as it is just my theme for this month, it isn’t going to be all about me!
Obviously there are all different kinds of silences and for lots of varying reasons. These can perhaps be good or bad, and also for personal circumstances, so quite interesting I think.
But before we take a look at them I hope you like the “silent and almost eerie” looking photo at the start of this article? It is of the wonderful and ever changing lake, Biscarrosse, by my Mobile Home site in South West France. I thought it a nice and very apt photo, I trust you will agree?
To set the thought process up I am going to put on a part of an only recently written poem from me that will probably go in my next book….
Another Voice
We like to hear another voice
Especially if feeling down.
For while silence can be magic
It may also make us frown,
And bleed deep and profusely,
Though no wound is seen outside.
So if an echoing quiet continues
We may need to run and hide.
For man was meant to communicate
If at times wishing he did not.
But mostly we just need to say
About the life we’ve got.
–
So silences can be powerful and important then, and viewed by people in a variety of situations. These can be “pregnant” or embarrassed silences, eerie, dis-quietening, a person refusing to talk as they “make their point” of unhappiness, the “no comment” stance of arrested or interviewed people, and of course a maybe now older saying and action of, “sending somebody to Coventry” if the person on receiving end, of being “sent” has acted badly or upset a group.
To illustrate a sad and powerful silence as a contrast, comes a poem from my very first book “Poetic Views of Life”, with the poem entitled as follows….
Silence Thunders
Silence echo’s loud as thunder
Like the voice of someone dear,
That you will never see again
Or feel their body near.
Silence echo’s loud as thunder
In the rooms inside your home,
Where every noise will tell you
That you are all alone.
The special one has gone now
So won’t be heard to speak,
Or let you kiss and touch them
And so your eyes will leak.
It’s said you don’t miss someone
Until after they’re not there,
The gift is gone completely
So your life is really bare.
Silence echo’s loud as thunder
Even if you are sincere,
So no future substitution
Can ever fully cheer.
There’s silence in the heart
Like a thunder in the ears,
And so that silent thunder
Haunts your future years!
–
Yes a sad situation there then, with a suggestion of appreciating what we have. Of course many people like, and will actively seek quiet, as a solace, or just to feel “away from it all” which may include people. I don’t think too many folks would choose a total silence, and of course this can, and is, used as a torture or punishment as “solitary confinement” or a ban on communication too.
Another example as a sort of “romantic separation” slant is in my next poem, again unpublished as I have only just found it although written a while ago now. For my next book as well I suspect.
Silence of the Lamb
I don’t like the weekend now
Though many people do,
For while I speak to others
I cannot talk to you!
I even tried the web address
You said was on your phone,
But that didn’t get through either
So from you I was alone.
I got messages from other folks
That I’d prefer not to get,
And having to answer them
Just made me more upset.
Still I guess if you are cut off
There is little to be done,
But when other people get me
It’s ironic, and not fun.
It’s Monday again tomorrow
So I’m sure you will be there,
To say you have missed me
And that you really care!
–
A bit of an “Aaaa” nice offering then, but I will let you think on how quiet or silence is for you, maybe just as a simple “break from the kids” that seems to be said a lot?
I did briefly mention myself earlier and touched a little in the first poem about my “take on silence”, so while you are considering your thoughts about it I will present a little habit of mine where I do like some “silent thoughts”, and is spelt out in a poem from my 3rd book “Reviews of Life in Verse” with a title “Daze End”.
Daze End
Sitting in my favourite chair
In my most comfortable way,
Looking back at hours passed
To reflect how went the day?
Well some go very well
And others not so good,
So in the scheme of life
That must be understood.
But more important than this
Is your dealing with it all,
Smiling with the good days
Should give no cause to fall.
But what about the bad times
That can also arrive too?
Can we get up if knocked down?
May define both me and you!
So how well the day went is crucial
But our responses so much more,
For if you react to adversity
Your life will be more secure,
Than if you just roll over
Bleating about your lack of luck,
So if not standing your own ground
You may regret your lack of pluck!
–
Just a bit of a slant on me in those describing verses, but before ending this article I have purposely saved until last a really contentious silence, and one where you can be wrong whatever you do. Can you think of it? Does it gradually come to mind? And do you agree with me that it is “contentious and you can be wrong whatever”? Perhaps for you the decision is simple and straightforward, although I would just like to add the proviso that various situations can be different?
What am I on about then? The silence as in “golden” when you know that something is going on behind a friend or acquaintances back, and you are unsure if to be the one to tell them or not. Never easy and such messengers are never going to be popular. What do you think…………..?
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Poetic Views of Life
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