I begin to speak and an ocean leans forward to listen. I offer a word which is like a pebble tossed into the depths. What I said was almost nothing. And yet, the water trembled, took the pebble, made of it something rounder, smoother, something its own. So, I continue to throw syllables into the deep, trusting that meaning is not what I throw but what the world returns to me.
Wow! What an opening line, Paul! In fact, the whole poem is a quietly marvellous reflection on what you give and what surprisingly comes back from who or what is out there listening to your words and deciphering their own meanings from them. Excellent, as always.
Thank you, Martin for giving back so generously, through your comments, to so many writers on Substack, myself included. Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a creative new year!
Once again, you threw out a few words and I leaned in to hear them. Words can work magic, communicate across distances, communicate in silence, only in thought, transform themselves into images, ideas, sensations, or other words like the ones I am writing now. More importantly than all that, the words of a poet like you are a source of inspiration for other poets, they are like arrows flying through the air, waiting to return transformed into roses.
Boulders, conglomerates are packed round stones pressed into one of many interpretations and often too heavy to be thrown far.
A ventriloquist speaks clearly with lips sealed, yet congealed thoughts begin to speak a mouthful of satirical truth and often laughter speaks louder with applause.
Could also interpret as plagiarized AI speech is spoken and claimed as one’s own. Who tells the truth? The beginning or the end after all is said and done.
Interesting comment, Richbee. No matter how far I throw the words, they always come back in some form, smoothed and rounded by the action of whatever sea returns them.
Wow! What an opening line, Paul! In fact, the whole poem is a quietly marvellous reflection on what you give and what surprisingly comes back from who or what is out there listening to your words and deciphering their own meanings from them. Excellent, as always.
Thank you, Martin for giving back so generously, through your comments, to so many writers on Substack, myself included. Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a creative new year!
You're most welcome, Paul. It's always a delight to read your poems.
I am delighted to have you read them, Martin. Thank you!
I second this :)
Thank you, Nimita!
My thanks to @r.s ★ for this restack!
Thanks to @Rea de Miranda for sharing this and best wishes for a Merry Christmas 🎄
Thanks to @Ashe for this restack.
My thanks to @Yolanda D. for this restack!
Thanks for the restack, @Lique
Thanks for sharing this, @KathieOC
Thank you for this restack @Margaret Fleck !
You are welcome 🙂
Good morning, @rena, and thank you for sharing this 🌻🌻
Good morning, Paul 🌻
Good Saturday, @Ross Ion Coyle and thank you for sharing this!
You're very welcome!
Thanks for sharing this, @Penny Briscoe, and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you also 🎄🎅
Good Tuesday, Penny, and thank you 🎄
Once again, you threw out a few words and I leaned in to hear them. Words can work magic, communicate across distances, communicate in silence, only in thought, transform themselves into images, ideas, sensations, or other words like the ones I am writing now. More importantly than all that, the words of a poet like you are a source of inspiration for other poets, they are like arrows flying through the air, waiting to return transformed into roses.
Words “that transform into roses.” That’s a pretty special compliment, Rolando. Thank you!
You're welcome Paul. It's true
I loved reading this!
Such a privilege to have, the first stanza! What a meaning to take away, the last stanza!
The middle - making both possible!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Nimita!
The necessity of remaining humble as an author. Thanks for this good start to my day. Happy holidays, Paul!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Hal, and best wishes of the season to you, as well!
Our minds can be generous cornucopia!
Indeed they can be, Jim. Thank you for reading and commenting—Merry Christmas!
Boulders, conglomerates are packed round stones pressed into one of many interpretations and often too heavy to be thrown far.
A ventriloquist speaks clearly with lips sealed, yet congealed thoughts begin to speak a mouthful of satirical truth and often laughter speaks louder with applause.
Could also interpret as plagiarized AI speech is spoken and claimed as one’s own. Who tells the truth? The beginning or the end after all is said and done.
Interesting comment, Richbee. No matter how far I throw the words, they always come back in some form, smoothed and rounded by the action of whatever sea returns them.