Heard Around The House -A List Poem

In this post I am sharing a poem that focuses on the sense of sound. For the last few days I have wandered into different rooms of our house, at different times of the day. I consciously sat still and listened to the sounds around me. I recorded them in my notebook. In writing my poem I took those notes and shuffled, shaved, chopped and polished them in order to achieve my desired line order. You might consider finding an alternative quiet place for yourself-a park, a garden or green space, a riverbank, a valley, a shoreline and sit undisturbed for a while and listen...

It is often said ideas surround us and if we sit still for a while they will reveal themselves. My poem is quite obviously a list poem but it is also an exercise of observance. Poets need to invoke the senses, either individually, or in concert. It sharpens your observational skills. Hope you enjoy the 'sound' of my poem...

Heard Around The House

Sit still,

Listen,

Can you hear them?

The sharp slapping of blinds against the skin of an open window

The soft pitter-patter of possum feet along the fence top near midnight

The intermittent scratching of the back wall by wind bullied bushes

The unrelenting growl of distant lawnmowers

The raucous chorus of morning crow calls

The rising scream of an agitated kettle

The soft swish of curtains caressed by an afternoon breeze

The considered slicing of various vegetables in preparation for oven roasting

The thrum of fan blades slicing through the afternoon warmth

The mournful cooing of Indian doves hidden in garden greenery

The sharp click-clacking of shoes across the kitchen floor

The irritating beep of the partially closed refrigerator door

The blattering raindrops smashing against the Colourbond roof

The defiant clatter of the back gate as it resists closing

The low, calculating hum of the computer

The subtle click of the front door closing on the outside world

The sombre snuffles of the dog close to dawn’s edge

The fizz of the television as its fades to black under remote control

The exuberant collision of voice floating in from the snicket

The recurring sounds of the house rise up to remind me of their various voices.

©Alan j Wright

It's Poetry Friday and this week our kindly host is Susan Bruck at Soul Blossom Living. Visit Susan to discover some forthcoming poetry projects. There are also links to a host of other poetic possibilities...

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