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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2008-09-13 11:18 AM


I wrote this when I was 17 or 18.

THE BROKEN CHAIN
1963

Glistening streets without the hurried swish of tyres on wet roads;
Salt waves surging forward to break on beach without the lulling song of the sea;
Slender fingers rippling over ivory keys, musiclessly;
The gracious grey-green arms of trees bending and twisting in their frenzied dance,
but no crashing chords of violent wind;

A world without horses’ hooves passing the window at a slow clip clop
Or pounding furiously across the plains;
Never to know the eerie yowl of the hyena of the night;
Or the summer drone of sun-warmed bees;
Or a welcoming bark at the end of a long, busy day;
Or the cool silver voice of water dropping gracefully
from sun-drenched rocks into the black depths below;

Songless birds singing;
Joyous faces bubbling with laughter, soundless laughter;
Children playing, noiselessly;

A cruel, beautiful, silent world.

- Owl

© Copyright 2008 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
1 posted 2008-09-13 11:57 AM


Hello Owl, reading this poem I thought you really feel things around you....You  are in great connection with the world and so is your poetry...The descriptions  you made touched me by their accuracy and precision and the great value of their "being"...Oh I'm getting almost philosophical and I'm not good in philosophia...

so bye bye for a while...

thank you for the touching poem.

yann

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2008-09-13 12:05 PM


Yann, thank you for your beautiful, touching reply.  And, by the way, you are VERY philosophical here and at all times - and so VERY good at it, to the benefit of all who read you at PIP.     I FEEL "in great connection with the world", but I am glad that it comes out in my poetry and that it is obvious to you.

- Owl

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis
since 2008-01-25
Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3 posted 2008-09-13 12:40 PM


Yo dear OwlSA,

Many people are deaf, or like one of my daughters, have very limited hearing.

It's still a beautiful world.

Love Bobby

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2008-09-13 12:46 PM


Thanks, Bobby.  I hear what you say (and agree with you as you will see from my last line), but it still breaks my heart that deaf and hard-of-hearing people can't hear these beautiful sounds, that I would so like everyone to hear and appreciate.

- Owl

TheAnonDavid
Member
since 2008-08-28
Posts 237
UK
5 posted 2008-09-13 02:08 PM


For a number of years I was a hearing care professional and it always gave me a kick when I witnessed the difference it made to people when they were introduced back into a world of sound.
Thank you for reminding me of those days again with your thoughtful poem. What an observant 17 or 18 year old you were

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Dylan Thomas

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2008-09-13 02:42 PM


It is good to hear not only that you did that job, but it is even nicer to hear what pleasure it gave you for people to regain their hearing.  

As regards my being an observant 17 or 18 year old, it was a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time ago that I was 17 or 18 - but thanks for the compliment.  

- Owl

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
7 posted 2008-09-13 08:02 PM


Once again, dear Diana, you touch me deeply with your inspired work!  
You unravel as an incredibly sensitive and talented young lady here ...

Love and hugs.
Margherita

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
8 posted 2008-09-13 10:29 PM


As one of our fine poetess quotes,
everyone is fighting a hard battle.  
I remind myself of that every single day!!

I am brought to tears by your sensitivity as well as your inspiration.

Thank you for your gentle words, they are ever so meaningful to me.



OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
9 posted 2008-09-14 03:40 AM


Margherita and Lori

I am stunned and deeply touched - and amazed - by your responses and those of the previous Pipsters.  I hid my early work for years, believing my mother that they weren't any good, not realising that perhaps she had a hidden agenda which I am not sure that I am understanding correctly, although it seems the only logical explanation.  

Lori, if I remember correctly it is Roniece who has that as part of her signature, and every time I see it, I feel the need to remind myself to remember it in my thoughts and deeds.  

- Owl

poddarku
Senior Member
since 2008-01-15
Posts 589
india
10 posted 2008-09-16 11:38 AM


"A world without horses’ hooves passing the window at a slow clip clop
Or pounding furiously across the plains"

you create anambience of your own.

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
11 posted 2008-09-16 04:13 PM


Thank you Kushal.  I am glad you think so.  I am also glad you singled out those particular lines.

- Owl

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
12 posted 2008-09-16 05:58 PM


good read
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
13 posted 2008-09-18 12:21 PM


Thanks vandana.

- Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
14 posted 2008-09-20 02:31 PM


What a remarkable writer you were at such a young age. This is just beautiful.
                                    Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
15 posted 2008-09-20 02:39 PM


Thank you, Ida, for your kind words.

- Owl

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
16 posted 2008-09-21 10:35 PM




"the summer drone of sun-warmed bees"

you were so young Diana
for such depth of soul

amazing work

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
17 posted 2008-09-22 12:39 PM


Thank you Kate for your warm Kate-words.  LOVELY TO SEE YOU AGAIN!  Please stay this time.  I have missed you.

- Owl

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