I've been inspired to listen,
listen to the cool breezes of babies cooing through the harp.
My piano plays notes of love,
babies giggling in their sleep,
and my Lord whispers "the angels are with thee."
I've been inspired to listen,
listen to children who cry out for help in the musical society of today,
in these beats they speak words of pain,
echoing through somebody's radio on the streets,
somebody's CD player at home,
somebody's MP3 player,
somebody's IPod.
Why don't you listen, mommy's and daddy's,
who's daughters and sons can't express themselves because you won't open up,
but when the bullets fly around them your ears pop,
when they drop to the ground wounded,
you open up,
but only to death,
a funeral in the making before he or she was ever born,
because you never had the mind, heart, soul, or the ears,
to listen.
Listen to the harps of your babies that played in the cribs of your home,
listen to the piano keys that completed the strokes of the harp,
your baby's voice.
Is death the only thing that can wake you up long enough to listen?
Author notes
It's just something I've been having on my heart for a long time. It's more like my life story. I hope you can relate.
A contest entry
- OPTIONS I- GOLD - SILVER - BRONZE FOR EACH by Florida Sunshine.
475 points, ended August 16, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Speak out! by Luna Argintie.
930 points, ended September 9, 2008, 205 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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I thank God I can't relate ~ but your poem sure helps me understand what it would feel like if I lived in those kind of circumstances. This starts me thinking in one sense a sereal scene of maybe a babysitter with children all around ~ different ages.
Then, the reality of the kind of society some people live in on a day to day bases. How very sad. People need to stand up and speak about how this affects all of us and keep our children safe.
Heartwrenching - provoking write - Thanks so much for entering the contest ~ it was my pleasure having you, I do appreicate reading and reviewing your work.
Best of luck to you,
Florida Sunshine
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this piece should have been given to my mother she could have definately used this in her mothers resume i think a lot of parents could thanks for sharing this with group
mrs lady enthralling
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Wow!!
The only thing more intense then the syncopation of this piece is the message.
What can I say? - Nicely done!
John
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This piece has got alot of depth and full of image thanks for sharing!
~Ocean~ -
I think this one has enough power to open some eyes and ears.
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AWWWW I LOVE THIS PIECE AND ITS DEFINTLY ONE OF MY FAVORITES
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Ode to Life...
this was very Deep, and profound with imagery that came from ur heart. Loved that you shared this with us.
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THX ONCE AGAIN. I EVEN ENJOYED WRITING THIS POEM BC I SIMPLY HAD PARENTS THAT WOULDNT LISTEN. I USED TO SEE MY FRIENDS DYING AROUND ME FOR THAT VERY REASON. THEY WOULD TRY TO TELL THEIR PARENTS WHATS GOING ON AND THEY WERE ALWAYS TOO BUSY TO LISTEN. THE NEXT STEP WAS NORMALLY THE FUNERAL WHERE I HEARD THEM WEEP JUST TO HEAR THEIR CHILDS VOICE AGAIN BUT SADLY THEY LOST THAT CHANCE.
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I really love the creative manner in which you used musical instruments to construct your message. Reminds me of one I composed in such a fashion. I do question however, the overuse of the "comma". Makes me feel as though I'm pausing a bit too much. Perhaps a semi-colon or two here and there or maybe a colon for emphasis or even a few dashes. Just a suggestion. The poem was phenomenal.
Thanks for sharing with the group.
Keep penning,
~The Inc."
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Nice job!!
Full of thought provoking feelings. Nice way to bring all of the senses into play here. "Is death the only thing that can wake you up long enough to listen?" God I hope and wish not. Remember Andrea Yates. Well...maybe she listened and the sounds were far too heavy for her. Very nice job.
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This poem was close to getting gold all these of these poems were winners in my view
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So many people would keep on walking instead of taking five minutes to listen. Every person has something to tell and most time there is no one to really listen without judgement or scorn. I have been there and done that but I think when you find someone, anyone that will give you the time of day then you know you found a true friend. children are the most precious gift you can ever recieve and a lot of times so many go unheard but it is time to stop and listen to realize that even children have something to say. Great job, keep penning.
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Very deep and profound images within this poem left me wanting to shout at all those parents I know who ignore their children and what goes on in their lives.It also made me think of mine own babies, lost before birth. Children are a precious gift. Well done on a deeply thought provoking piece of writing.
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Awww, so sadly true. Though all of us have a song to sing, not all are heard. No one wants to listen, that is, until it's too late. Vivid imagery and such deep thoughts, well penned
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wow
This is so intense and touching...Beautifully done!
TY for entering this wonderful piece and I hope that writing it, helped your heart
Lynda
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Very strong imagery here and a message that should be heeded. Much of what needs to be said is already out there, if only we would just listen. Best of luck in the contest. ~Jim
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Thanks for reading it. Sometimes it's just hard to get people to feel what I feel and that bothers me.
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