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Open Poetry #48
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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2013-02-10 03:02 AM



THE OPEN DOOR
9 January 2013

Today
I sought solace
in Chopin
on the piano
that Maritzburg Granny gave me
when I was seven,
and at first
the notes flowed hesitantly
and just as
Chopin’s charms were liberating my sad fingers,
a delight of melodic chirrups
in my forest garden
overshadowed my beloved composer
and called me out into the heart of my forest
and the purity
of the little birds’ bubbling musical notes
and the explosion of their celebration of life
against a foreground
of dappled sunshine
on fluttering leaves and sturdy bark
and a backdrop
of eternal blue and fluffy white
peeking mischievously through the treetops,
unleashed the anchors in my soul and in my breath
and I became
one
with the glorious tranquillity
of the summer day.  

Owl

© Copyright 2013 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
1 posted 2013-02-10 04:57 AM


I wish I would have learned to play the piano. Sounds wonderful.
                            Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2013-02-10 04:34 PM


Thanks, Ida.  Yes, it is.  I'm not a very good player, but good enough to feed my soul.  Smiles.

Owl

Duck1946
Member
since 2011-05-16
Posts 84
Nebraska
3 posted 2013-02-13 11:16 AM


Very nice!
My day is made a little lighter!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2013-02-13 12:45 PM


Thank you, Duck.  I am deeply glad to hear that, especially under the circumstances.  

Owl

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
5 posted 2013-02-13 11:54 PM


A pleasure to read...James
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2013-02-14 12:16 PM


Thank you, James.

Owl

2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
7 posted 2013-02-14 12:52 PM


thanks diana for bringing the music of chopin, and the songs of birds, it is quite a melody, and you remembered me it is summer in south africa, very well done and well crafted,


yann

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
8 posted 2013-02-14 01:15 AM


Birds out shadowing Chopin! How lovely.  from tiny throats draped in soft feathers come heavenly music.jo
katahdin
Senior Member
since 2010-07-01
Posts 1196
ME. In the Shadow of the Mt.
9 posted 2013-02-14 03:11 AM


Just beautiful!
Kat >^..^<

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
10 posted 2013-02-14 05:31 AM


Thank you, Yann, for your kind words.  I am glad you enjoyed it so much.  Yes, it is summer here.  I love the summer.  

Yes, Martyjo, aren’t they precious, wonderful little creatures!  Thank you for reading.

Thank you, Kat.  Smiles.

Owl

OLIAS
Senior Member
since 2000-06-20
Posts 1090
Pearl city Iowa
11 posted 2013-02-14 06:10 AM


Cool musical descriptive piece , very much enjoyed thank you so much.

p.s.
I haven't Chopin'd a keyboard in years but I'm still pretty mean with an axe.... Sorry bad pun.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
12 posted 2013-02-14 08:15 AM


Thanks, Olias.  Giggles, even though Chopin is pronounced close to (Shor pang - with the g crossed out and the "an" nasal).

Owl

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !
13 posted 2013-02-21 02:22 PM


especially fine !!
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
14 posted 2013-02-21 06:07 PM


Thanks, Bruce.

Owl

Spiros Zafiris
Senior Member
since 2002-10-20
Posts 982
Canada
15 posted 2013-02-23 12:29 PM


..yes, the rediscovered oneness..the joy
you've just shared..much enjoyed..

..spiros
~~

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
16 posted 2013-02-23 03:13 AM


Thank you Spiros.  I am glad you enjoyed it.  

Vibrant life - as opposed to mere passive existence - by its very definition, emanates from, and by necessity, always returns to joy, brightened and coloured by its own progressive enlightenment, and mentored, matured, enhanced and made wise by the shades and shadows of the sorrows it embraces along the way - and true joy is seated in knowledge, and deep-seated knowledge embraces the truth of oneness in the universe.

Owl


[This message has been edited by OwlSA (02-23-2013 05:08 AM).]

Elizabeth Santos
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269
Pennsylvania
17 posted 2013-02-23 11:13 AM


I haven't yet found the words to respond to ths post. You have lifted me up and litterally transported meto your summer, no longer confined to these walls in which I live. Once in a great while you come across an author or poet who says what you have longed to say but never foound the words. You have done just that and I thank yoou from the bottom of my heart. You are an inspirationwhich makes me think - I migght even write today
Love to you
'Liz

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
18 posted 2013-02-23 06:38 PM


Oh, Liz!  What a beautiful reply!  Besides all those wonderful things you said about my words, it makes me deeply happy that it not only lifted you up, but also brought you our summer during your winter, and also worded your thoughts so exactly!  I am so happy to be your inspiration.  I am delighted to hear that there should be another very beautiful Liz-poem about to born soon!  I am looking forward to it.  Thank you for all of that.  You are a real sweetie!

Love to you too.
Owl

Duck1946
Member
since 2011-05-16
Posts 84
Nebraska
19 posted 2013-02-26 05:09 AM


Delightful!
Although I cannot read music or make music, we out in the corn country do get a fine arts channel on the radio.
So, and here's my secret, as I drive along those long, boring gravel roads, I truck dance.
That is I turn on the radio, and become one with the music by moveing around in the drivers seat in harmony with what I am hearing.
I really like Mozart.
Tell no one , Liz: not even my wife knows!
Loved your poem, but I think it needs a cat somewhere

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
20 posted 2013-02-26 05:37 AM


Giggles, Duck!  Your reply is delightful too!  Truck-dancing!  I love the idea!  

(Little oops, Owl is Diana, not Liz, but you are forgiven, lol!  And I promise I won't tell your wife about the truck-dancing, though I think she would love the idea and I am sure that it would brighten her day!  I think you should re-consider telling her, lol!)

I dance in the kitchen sometimes.  My cat understands fully, but my dog is a little perplexed and thinks it is some sort of game leading up to playing ball with him and looks at me with his head on one side, waiting for me to say the magic word (Fetch!).  He is an Olympic sportsman wannabee and he loves playing ball with Mommy - more than eating!  And when he catches it after only one bounce inside or no bounce at all outside, hearing "Clever Boy!" makes a continuously happy dog even happier!

I have just read your reply a second time and more carefully this time.  The first time, I missed - I don't know HOW!!! - that you said my poem needs a cat somewhere!  Cleo, my tortoise-shell and white kitty cat said to send you purrs for that!  She also said that no matter whether Mommy mentions her and her doggy-brother, Benji, (the same colours as Cleo but in a different pattern - he is a miniature Doberman Pinscher) in a poem, they are always involved as they are seldom more than a metre away from her day and night - and they inspire Mommy, comfort Mommy, have fun playing with Mommy, dictate some parts of poems to Mommy and listen avidly to Mommy reading them her and other people's poetry and NEVER tire of Mommy's voice.  

Thank you for your reply bubbling over with happiness.

Owl

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