listening to some raag in Carnatic music. the emotional landscape suggested this to me. this Carnatic style is slow and repetitive and explores the emotion of the piece within subtle changes in the repetition. However, I would be interested in what music would suggest itself upon reading this. (if any)
the idea of this piece is that the direct observation of nature gives the observer too much to take in, while the indirect experience (that of hearing unseen birds) evokes memories in the subject. growing up in a nautral environment, i have come to cherish indirect observations of nature. what is left behind but showing a secret life. animal tracks in the snow, a cicada's song high in a tree, the many calls of birds in the springtime. i like to apply this to my own experiences of emotion or memories. these too are signs of things that have happened and evoke an image of a hidden life.
Counting birds
Counting birds
As numerous as stars
I left some things
in my memories
of summer evenings
when we played
Counting birds
as numerous as stars
Counting memories
Counting stars
The nighthawks sing
The whip-poor-will too
The bobwhite hides in the grass
Memories
of their song
Oh if the memory
of their song
Could bring back
those nights
Oh if the memories
Could place me
back in that time
The nighthawks would sing
The whip-poor-will would too
The bobwhite hides in the grass
@berni1954 Mar 2022
Ah, yes. This has been given the full treatment elsewhere and beautifully done too.
@headfirstonly Mar 2022
I have some very happy memories of August evenings spent roaming the heathland of North Norfolk, hoping to hear (and every now and again, catch a glimpse of) the elusive nightjar. "Birds as numerous as stars" is such a lovely thought. It really does feel like another world, now.
@guatecoop Feb 2022
Well, I think that we are living in a parallel consciousness right now. I am exactly there and I think that you have captured that existence perfectly. Really beautifully written about a truly beautiful (it can be or can be something that people avoid) perspective/existence/mindset about being present, reflective, and open. Well done!