by IRENE FOWLER, Contributor

“Listen to many, speak to a few.”
– William Shakespeare (Hamlet – Act I, scene 3)

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders,
but they have never failed to imitate them.”
–  James Baldwin

“Those who have virtue always in their mouths,
and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which
emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is
insensible of the music.”
– Diogenes

To read Irene’s new poem “The Sound of Life” click:

The Sound of Life

by Irene Fowler

The sound of injustice
The sound of anguished, forced silence
The sound of paralysing fear
Assault the attuned ear.

**

The sound of lack
The sound of hunger
The sound of deprivation
Intrusive; lacking a by-your-leave or invitation.

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The sound of the forgotten and despised
The sound of the voiceless
The sound of the platformless
Stoke nary a flicker or flame of valid redress.

**

The sound of deranged planetary exploitation
The sound of nature’s rebellion
The sound of greed, indifference and deflection
Obviates extreme and grave reflection.

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The sound of buttercups and peonies
The sound of dandelions, violets and bluebells
The sound of heavily scented queen-of-the-night
Calm and quieten increasing fright.

**

The sound of chirping birds
The sound of a school of dolphins
The sound of toads, dogs and civets
Signal all is not lost yet.

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The sound of soothing, heart-stirring music
The sound of black and white piano keys
The sound of harps, flutes and violins
Give rise to healing harmony within.

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The sound of marriage nuptials
The sound of a newborn’s cry
The sound of familial accord
Tempers harmful forces of discord.

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The sound of a stranger’s helping hand
The sound of a listening ear
The sound of true human kindness
Requires of us, more not less.

**

The sound of chaos, stress and strife
At war with The Sound Of Life.

© 2022 by Irene Fowler