Know When to Stop Talking - A Poetic Response
A poetic response to the article Know When to Stop Talking
Someone asked me about how I write my poetry. I’ve often wondered about that very thing myself. I read an article, experience an event, talk to a person and walk away with something bubbling inside my brain. Case in point, an article titled Know When to Stop Talking by our collaborative partner Anna Garleff - as usual I would recommend that you read Anna’s article as a companion to this poem.
Listen My words are the insight into my soul They carry my hopes, my dreams and all Listen The incessant noise of the world is chaotic Drowning emotions just like a narcotic Listen to understand, not just to respond Let my words flow over like a healing balm There will be a time for jabbering and noise For meaningless words spoken into the void For whispering sweet nothings into an ear Raising a toast to a boisterous cheer But this is not the time, the hour, or the place It's not the reason, we created this space To share our emotion and thoughts in this time We must leave the mundane go to the sublime For my words have no meaning no depth or truth If you do not listen but choose to assume Listen For in the quiet we have much more to say Silence can be communication's doorway
Bio: Brian Sankarsingh is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who moved to Canada in the 1980s. He describes himself as an accidental poet, with a passion for advocacy and a penchant for prose, an unapologetic style, he offers his poetry as social and political commentary.
What a sweet harmonic overlay to "Know When To Stop Talking". Silence needn't be uncomfortable, but a place to hear all the other things not being vocalized. Thank you, Brian, for the thoughtful gift.
There’s so much in this poem, I couldn’t help but spend time reflecting on it. I love what it conveys, and what it calls us to. “My words are the insight into my soul” is such a meaningful line. A wonderful poem on its own, and all the more powerful alongside the original article.