..stood on the other side for years
these artificial layers
filtering sounds
leaving only a rhythm to hear--
voices enter and fade
but the ear on the wall cannot
discern the words intoned--
while fingers grope
and lips mouth in silence
seeking sound to open the door
that seems to forever enclose
like a barricade.
elPintor
Sun 12th Feb 2017 23:44
Hello, Juan..that's really quite a compliment. I do try to leave things open to a degree, so it's really pleasing that you find it so. I truly enjoy hearing individual interpretations.
And, Paul, I suppose what's on the other side is really a secondary matter even though the text might seem to suggest it as the primary element. Sometimes, words make it easy to ignore the finer implications necessary to communication.
Hey, Suki..I love Joy Division so I'll take that any day..and that's a great song. If I could only come close to Curtis' intensity...well, but then, maybe I might be dead too--RIP Ian.
And, you, David..you know, if I could've found the words, I would've said about the same thing in regards to, "The recluse". Its a terrible irony that those who are unable to speak openly of intense emotions are also unable to speak of their affliction. And as far as medical journals and manuals go, I don't believe that psychology as a science will ever be able to describe the workings of the inner mind fully--any "scientist" with a lick of sense has to know that we are more than collections of traits and symptoms.
Thanks to all for your comments and for continually encouraging me to keep writing.
elP
elP,
This has a Joy Division feel to it. That's a compliment by the way. Reminds me a little of New Dawn Fades..
elP, I'll happily second Juan Pablo's sentiments. There is something quite beautiful about this poem.
And as much as I'm intrigued to know the goings-on behind that wall, I find myself musing about other interpretations.
Thank you for posting this elegant piece.
Paul
This is awesome...it leaves the reader so much room for interpretation. It could be simply a person trying to eavesdrop into a discussion in the next room or....it could be humanity trying to listen in pass the threshold of the natural into the supernatural ( trying to know the secrets of the afterlife) or ....so many things come to mind all quite exciting.
I can definitely see this poem being studied in literature classes worldwide.
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Stu Buck
Mon 13th Feb 2017 17:49
what an excellent poem. claustrophobic and you get a real sense of the tightness and secrecy of the relationship. easier to translate than some of your other works, but doesnt suffer for it.