I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

18 November 2013

What Is That Music?

What is that music
leaking over the horizon?
Full of longing, where does it come from?
I want to understand. I want it to stay.

What is that music
murmuring on and on?
How can it be both clear and dim?
What is the message it means to convey?

What is that music?
It is a secret, but one
that others hear too — although for them
it may have something different to say.

What is that music?
What is that half-heard tune
that I can almost catch and hum ...
that makes me want to weep and pray?

What is that music?
Does it waft from the moon?
I know it haunts me for good, not harm.
I know it needs to come out and play.

What is that music?
And where has it gone —
dwindling gently, gradually dumb?
It was here, and now it has vanished away.


Poetic Asides November Poem A Day Chapbook Challenge: day 15, What (blank)?

 Submitted for Poets United's Poetry Pantry #363 (23 July 2017)
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25 comments:

  1. Jennie Fraine23 November 2013 at 23:06

    Fantastic! I think it's the combination of structure and inquiry that I love.

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  2. Sherry Blue Sky23 July 2017 at 08:48

    What a hauntingly beautiful, wondering poem this is, Rosemary. Made me perk up my ears and listen, in hopes I could hear it.

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  3. Mary23 July 2017 at 09:37

    Sometimes we don't realize that the music is gone until it is too late. We must not let the music vanish.

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  4. Thotpurge23 July 2017 at 16:31

    Beautiful.. the repetition is haunting and I loved the opening..music leaking over the horizon...

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  5. Jae Rose23 July 2017 at 18:32

    You capture the tune so well.. somethings stick in our heads without rhyme or reason

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  6. Sumana Roy23 July 2017 at 19:22

    I like how it came, aroused curiosity and faded away leaving no trace except in those hearts that were touched. There's a kinda mystic feeling to this music. The first two lines are exquisite.

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  7. Kerry O'Connor23 July 2017 at 20:31

    How haunting to hear the refrain of music brought in on a breeze, and gone before it can be grasped.

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  8. Old Egg23 July 2017 at 20:44

    This reminded me of the Pied Piper of Hamelin where the town's children were lured away except for one lame boy. I think I prefer your poem, it was beautiful!

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  9. Sanaa Rizvi23 July 2017 at 20:45

    This is beautifully haunting, Rosemary!❤️ Especially love; "What is that music? Does it waft from the moon? I know it haunts me for good, not harm. I know it needs to come out and play."❤️

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  10. Julian23 July 2017 at 22:02

    What is that music?
    Does it waft from the moon?
    I know it haunts me for good, not harm.
    I know it needs to come out and play.................I really enjoyed your poem, especially this stanza.

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  11. Gillena Cox24 July 2017 at 00:50

    It's the rhythm of dreams the stuff that hinges hope, let me dance to it

    Have a great Sunday

    Much love...

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  12. Magical Mystical Teacher24 July 2017 at 00:52

    O let the music be heard again and again!

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  13. Unknown24 July 2017 at 01:27

    Now you'll never get it out of your head ;)

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  14. indybev24 July 2017 at 02:51

    Eloquent, Rosemary. The music is still there ... it's just that's it's harder to hear now.

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  15. ZQ24 July 2017 at 03:14

    Time to start a fire under that kettel ... :)
    ZQ

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  16. Magaly Guerrero24 July 2017 at 04:02

    As I read, I found myself cocking my head to one side... seriously hearing "the music"! The repetition works so well.

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  17. Donna@LivingFromHappiness24 July 2017 at 04:05

    I loved the rhythm of this as if i was hearing the music just at the edge of the breeze...straining and trying to keep it with me....beautiful!

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  18. Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger24 July 2017 at 04:19

    Just gorgeous writing!

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  19. Wendy Bourke24 July 2017 at 07:50

    Ah yes ~ sigh ~ I have been in pursuit of that mystery many times. More and more, as I move farther and farther away from the first time I heard music that left a few indelible notes behind. This piece is wonderfully written with lovely nuances to drift upon. for a bit.

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  20. Susan24 July 2017 at 09:26

    You have me looking up, straining to hear, trying to follow.

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  21. J.N.T.24 July 2017 at 09:33

    Very haunting poem here. I could sense that music is something very out of the ordinary for you. I've had moments in my life where I've heard that type of music and it's always a special feeling. thanks for sharing.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous24 July 2017 at 10:08

      The music is always important, may it never stop speaking to those who would listen,

      Elizabeth

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  22. ayala24 July 2017 at 10:23

    Haunting and beautiful.

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  23. annell424 July 2017 at 22:35

    Questions unanswered.

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  24. Rommy26 July 2017 at 05:59

    I think poets have a habit of chasing after tunes halfway heard and part-way understood. :)

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