Saturday 27 February 2010

State of Mind

Sometimes when words fail to describe the meanderings of the mind, I thought I would borrow them. After all words are words and if someone has already described it the way I want, let me save my thinking power. So I let the lyrics explain. The lines that kept resonating in my mind were the lyrics of Paul Simon's and Art Garfunkel's song "The Sounds of Silence" written by Paul Simon in 1964. I thought the lyrics would suffice . . .

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence 

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turn my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence 

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools," said I, "you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence 


19 comments:

  1. Hi Susan, I've always loved this
    song. The Sounds of Silence is the
    perfect song for this season.
    There are so many songs whispered
    all over the world that know one
    hears but desperately need to.

    When you have a chance please stop
    by Poemflesh2. and take the time to
    read the interview with Eileen.
    She is a voice that speaks to
    so many. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This song is one of my favs too!! Super lyrics...

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  3. It is a beautiful old classic with lovely harmonies and poetic lyrics. I love the expression "sound of silence", as I understand it so well. As well "People talking without speaking..."
    Have a lovely Saturday dear Susan,
    xoxo
    Zuzana

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  4. I've always loved this song... it's like an hymn to me...
    Oh-- those old times

    You are right when you say. if someone already used the words you would have chosen, why 'use the thinking power'...
    It happens often to me... What I sometimes do is read something and get inspired from it to create a new poem- adapted to my own way of saying and feeling those things...

    I love your work, dear Susan.
    ;)

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  5. Aha..Lovely lyrics...Had forgotten this one..Thanks for bringing it back to me. :)

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  6. Cynthia:

    A strange silence was troubling me and the song kept resonating.

    I will stop by your blog. Let the silence be quiet.

    Thanks for coming. Joy always.

    Sameera:

    I am glad that you like this song as well.

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  7. Zuzana:

    Only a few can understand that sound. Lovely words. It seems Paul Simon understood the beauty of non-verbal conversation so well. S&G reminds me of a certain somebody who is far away. Very far. The only way to reach that person is through silence.

    Thanks for coming this Saturday to the meanderings dear Zuzana.

    Joy always.

    Dulce:

    How can you say that? Words have always been your ally. Thanks for the lovely words. Much love dear Sweets.

    Ashley:

    Even if you forget the song, don't forget the silence Ashley. Silence resonates the loudest and can sometimes choke.

    Joy always.

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  8. I hadnt read it before. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  9. 'No one dares disturb the sound of a silence" what an expression!!
    It reminds me of the well-known saying: 'Speech is silver. Silence is golden" - meaning that saying nothing is preferrable to speaking.

    There's also a song by the Tremelous in which one finds the following: "Silence is golden/Speech is cheap".

    Have a terrific weekend!

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  10. this song has always moved me to a place of melancholy. sometimes with good results. sometimes with negative results.

    thank you for sharing.

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  11. Shas:

    Been long. This is a very famous old song. Glad that you liked the lyrics. A lovely Sunday to you.

    DUTA:

    Paul Simon is a brilliant writer. this is poetry, by Jove, I say.

    Thanks for coming by DUTA. A great week to you.

    Claire:

    It does the same with me at times. This song can be interpreted in so many different ways -- Just like verse.

    I am glad that you like this song as well. A great week ahead, dear Claire.

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  12. Oh, Susan. I do hope your darkness has passed. I know we sometimes can sink so deep even words elude us... I know that feeling, and I don't like it. But if the words of S & G somehow gave you solace, then that is a triumph, after all, no?

    Nevine

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  13. dearest susan! fabulous post! you could not have picked something that i love more and that seems especially fitting for days of late - and you know, it's true, sometimes, there are words out there already spoken already written that truly bear more an identity of our own than their authors somehow - in their spirit, anyway - it's been a long frigid winter here and i think it has many other places as well - all of which sets a certain tone hard to remove - again, great post! sorry to be so irregularly visiting but am just trying to hang on to what i can with all the other things going on around me - so please forgive and know i think of you and miss being here when i'm not able to come over!

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  14. Nevine:

    It was one of those existential meanderings which left me a bit stifled and restive. Even I don't much like it but then all the time I cannot hope to be feeling great and lovely. It has passed thankfully and now I can liken that dark period to an experience.

    Thanks for perfectly understanding what I was going through. Somewhere somehow we share a soul . . . and that thought makes me feel nice.

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  15. Dear Jenean:

    I miss you when your presence here is not as often as it ought to be dear one. I perfectly understand what you mean by long frigid winter -- it resonates on your being as well. I hope the sun shines out soon and gives you some respite. Sending you warm sunshine and love from here.

    Take care and be happy.

    Joy and peace always Jenean.

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  16. One of my fav songs! Always an inspiration :)

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  17. Hey Ajinkya:

    So so long. Hope you are well. It is a lovely song and many like it as well.

    Joy always.

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  18. Hi Susan :)
    had been away for a while, and I admit I missed meanderings a lot.I dont know why but coming here makes me feel enlightened, soothes me and there is a sense of belonging which envelops me :)Thank you for sharing your ideas and a part of your personna with all of us here,really! may God bless you always...
    I have not listened to this song but i really liked the lyrics.
    Cheers
    lots of love and best regards,
    Ruchi

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  19. Dear Ruchi:

    I am so touched by what you have written. I admit that even though I don't know all of you personally there is a chord of connection which reaches beyond the personal and the known. It is quite spiritual. I am glad that you feel the same.

    Do listen to the song. Send me your email. I will send the song to you.

    May god bless you as well.

    Love and hugs always.

    ReplyDelete

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