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
This is fun! It made me immediately tune into the sounds I am hearing right now and would be a great poem to try. I had a few favorite lines:
ReplyDeleteThe soft pitter-patter of possum feet along the fence top near midnight
The unrelenting growl of distant lawnmowers
And oh the word choice: clatter, click-clacking, cooing!
Cathy, 'sounds' like you got it! So pleased you heard my words. I think the sharp focus on sounds assisted my writing. The purpose was clear from the start. i was also conscious of my verb choice wanting to individualize the sounds I heard.
DeleteIt also seems you've captured the day itself through sound, from "fan blades slicing" to "blattering raindrops smashing". My neighborhood recently appears to be in line with the air traffic so right now I'm listening to a plane flying over & I'm jealous! Lovely to capture all these sounds, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThose sounds did transcended my day Linda. I too have been listening to planes fly over. My granddaughter points to the sky acknowledging the loud droning sounds come and go. Thank you for your kind response.
DeleteLove this list, Alan, and especially your vocabulary! The wind has shrieked here all day, plus we had a high piercing tone which we couldn't locate, sounded electronic, but went away when the toilet was flushed. You can't make this stuff up. Haha.
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. The vocabulary choices are particularly important and none more so than in a list poem where succinct word use is a critical component. The sounds surrounding our day can be comforting, confronting and compelling. They also have the capacity to deliver some mystery as to their origins. Sounds are worthy of our attention and investigation.
DeleteI could hear all those sounds as I read! Great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth. For me there's a quiet satisfaction in the fact you heard those sounds.
DeleteI enjoyed all these sounds from throughout the day around the house--so many good lines brought the sounds straight to my ears. Right now I"m hearing the wind swoosh around the gables and the wind chimes pealing a loud chorus.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my gathering of house sounds Kay. It's amazing how the very mention of sounds make us more acutely aware of the sounds presenting in our immediate surrounds.
Delete