4.09.2007

The Life of a Sound

Until I got quiet and listened in a way I never do, I didn’t know of all the sounds, the voluminous sounds that when allowed to be heard jockey for attention like schoolchildren in a room with arms reaching towards the sky waving to say, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’

The sounds want to be heard, hateful of their dismissal as white noise.
Imagine how they see us, the inhabitants they dodge or bounce off of as they move to gather in a wondrous corner of a busy street to share their tales of adventure.

Sometimes they want to go unheard, for sounds have private moments, too. They can feel sad and small, seek to take up less space and go unnoticed. The life of a sound is seldom considered, but when I listened with clean ears, I understood, and I no longer complain about the noise.


6 comments:

Girlplustwo said...

oh, gorgeous. it's so true, isn't it...each one clamoring for their place in the sun.

be still. stop and listen. i can't imagine a world without sounds, and yet i take it for granted all the time.

QT said...

I will try to remember this beautifully written post the next time my gander wakes me up at 4:30 am. :)

Johnny C. said...

Except for the noise that makes me want to punch babies. Just Kidding.

It's beautiful.

Anonymous said...

that's the message of this alley way isn't it? when i read these words here, i thought of the sounds and images in this alley and what was being seen and heard.

Anonymous said...

I don't mind noisiness, but I have to say that now that I'm living alone at times, i love the silence, too. I so rarely get to listen to it.

SuperP. said...

I am so glad I visited you, today.

That was powerful for me.

I often tried to take up less space, as a child. When I think of the burning exposure of a well lit room or a place without shadows, corners or little spots, it makes me hurt for those who are small, now, and trying to camoflauge themselves.

Even knowing how it feels.. I needed to read this today, from the perspective of an adult, who had forgotten.

Thankyou.