When the Soul Speaks Through a Poet's Words I Will Listen

The Fire In The Song
by David Whyte

The mouth opens
and fills the air
with its vibrant shape

until the air
and the mouth
become one shape.

And the first word,
your own word,
spoken from that fire

surprises, burns,
grieves you now
because

you made that pact
with a dark presence
in your life.

He said, "If you only
stop singing
I'll make you safe."

And he repeated the line,
knowing you would hear
"I'll make you safe"

as the comforting
sound of a door
closed on the fear at last,

but his darkness crept
under your tongue
and became the dim

cave where
you sheltered
and you grew

in that small place
too frightened to remember
the songs of the world,

its impossible notes,
and the sweet joy
that flew out the door

of your wild mouth
as you spoke.
**********************

Sometime, somewhere, I traded my song for safety.  It's time to open my mouth and let the fire of my song burn again.

Comments

[amy]

This is fabulous...thanks for sharing. I can relate as well :)

[megg]

WOW. That's an incredible poem. It frightened me a little. I think I will print it out to digest it some more. Thank you so much! xo

[deirdre]

"If you only
stop singing
I'll make you safe."

I'm stunned and angry. What terrible trade-offs we make in the quest to be safe. Silence. I've been silenced too many times, by fear, "politeness", wanting to see it from the other persons perspective. Thank you for sharing this. I think I'll go sing now.

[Marilyn]

Love this. Wish I'd paid closer attention to this poet when he was working with a group I worked with...I sort of dismissed him (in my mind) at the time...must have made an odd first impression. Then again, he wasn't there to talk about poetry. How ironic that I see him quoted in posts all these years later. :)

[MB]

Yes, burn — and sing — like the flame you are!

[Star]

Me too. I did it at a very young age...security (financial, emotional, social) seems to have a strangle hold on me. How I long to break its hold on me and to be able to breathe more deeply and fling my arms out and twirl.

[letha sandison]

Wow Michelle, this is powerful stuff!! Thank you for sharing it, it hit home today. I think in the face of moving to Uganda I am craving safety and stability and letting fear in. I am going to try to turn that around!!!

Bless you dear girl!

XOXOXO

[kim]

Youre blog is fantastic and you are awesome :)
I think you are a brilliant writer and I loved all your posts. Yes I went thru all of them ...they are touching and emotional and I cried more than once. Thank You for being so honest and open.

[jeannette*]

I've noticed your comments on others blogs and I have found myself coming here often. I Appreciate the way you use this beautiful space and your willingness to open up your life and make yourself available to others! I wish I could whip out posts like this daily! Keep it up!

-jeannette

[madeleine]

how true...i too chose safety. but it can be stifling and stops you from growing.
step out into the light and be heard.

[MelanieinOrygun]

This is gorgeous. So many of your posts are, actually. I got here through Jessica at Oh, The Joys... and now you're linked on my blog, as well. I can't imagine how I may have missed out on such a great writer before!

[Darlene]

I have to re-read this.

I think I need to print this and let these words sink in...something struck a cord in me...

this needs exploring
thank you :)

xo d

[liz elayne]

this is so powerful. yes. thank you for sharing it but also for sharing your own words after the poem. this is so true. letting it out. every day. letting it out a little more.

[natalie]

thank you! I was looking for the poem and found it here - beautiful blog too! Have also been reconciling the fear - exchanging freedom of my voice for perceptions of securtiy... and moving on from that...
thank you for your words at the end

[natalie]

thank you! I was looking for the poem and found it here - beautiful blog too! Have also been reconciling the fear - exchanging freedom of my voice for perceptions of securtiy... and moving on from that...
thank you for your words at the end