Approximations of Something That Sounds Like A Song

A new poem - a practice & question about recognizing deep calling to deep.

Hi Folks,

This is another poem that I wrote in response to two poems by Hafiz— A Forest Herb, and The Diamond Takes Shape. Hafiz describes how a true poet can offer words that describe and give language to something deep and powerful. A true poem can be like healing forest herbs applied to what is wounded. But there are some who have become skilled at parroting something true - use the right buzz words, as if what they are saying has actual substance.

Because we are in a time of 24/7 political speech and messaging, my response poem focuses on how the unscrupulous may become adapt at using a form of imitation to approximate something transcendent. I keep hearing the language of spiritual tradition used as a blunt weapon, the language of family used as an instrument to promote discrimination or oppression. I have always been drawn to the power and nuance of melody and language, how a well made poem or song might help or heal or give voice to the things we experience that often have no words. We humans respond to melodies that weep, rejoice, ponder, inspire or delight. In our modern world, with everyone tuned into their own personal playlists, we forget that collective singing binds us together in love and purpose—revolutions need songs.

So the poem ended up a description and encouragement to myself to look more closely, listen for what actually rings true. If the melody and message has an undercurrent or through line of hate and diminishment - it doesn’t matter how many pretty notes you put on top.