Vox Populi
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Scott Silsbe: Listening to Music with You
The world pushes on. Time in all its increments.
Events. News. Little undocumented happenings.
Some days I feel like I am breaking wide open
and that my insides are completely exposed.
But there are those times where I am just
listening to music with you. I find a record
on a shelf, put it on the turntable, move
the needle over and rest it on the platter,
then return to your company, getting close.
And there’s something about your presence
that changes the music—makes it more,
makes it greater than, enhances it, I guess.
Maybe it’s something in me that is lit up
by the combination of you and the music.
There are other things. There are other joys
I can find these days. Eating a good meal
we cooked together. Rereading a loved book.
But for now, let’s let the music play like this
in these close quarters with each other, ok?
Right now, I don’t seem to want anything else.
Copyright 2023 Scott Silsbe
Scott Silsbe is the author of Unattended Fire and The River Underneath the City. He lives and writes in Pittsburgh.
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Such intimacy with a partner & music in this poem. Quiet, delight-filled moments so well & simply described.
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Thanks Laure-Anne!
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We humans are blessed–sometimes saved–by music. And love❤️
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I agree! Music, poetry and love have saved my life.
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Great poem!
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I agree, Jason. Scott’s poems have a subtle music.
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Love love this poem and its rhythm. Especially poignant since seeing two iconic concerts in a month… James Taylor and Diana Ross. Music warms the soul and singing with loved ones brings us back and brings us closer. Thank you!
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Yes, there are iconic singers that bring us back to our treasured memories. Scott’s poem evokes those feelings.
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