Mo's Manic Monday - Silence

Posted: Monday, April 30, 2007 by Travis Cody in
24

Today, many across the bloggosphere have chosen a day of silence to honor the victims of last week's horrendous shooting on the Virginia Tech campus, as well as the thousands of military personnel and countless civilians killed in the Middle East. I am saddened by the tragedy and the loss of life and my heart goes out to the families. Sileo in pacis.



Sounds of Silence
Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence


To those of you who have elected silence as your statement, I respect your choice. Ultimately, I believe that true change cannot be worked upon the world unless we come together with one loud voice, crying "Enough".

That said, I believe nothing can come of that loud cry unless we also earnestly listen to each other.

Be kind. Be strong. Speak. Listen. Dare to make a difference and change the world.

24 comments:

  1. I believe I speak out enough (though not on my blog, certainly in other venues).

    I choose this time of silence to pray. It's what I do.

  1. Tisha! says:

    For me it's a time of introspection.

    hugs

  1. Unknown says:

    There is irrational killing taking place every day. Hundreds will die today in Darfur or Iraq or North America. We should silently pray for the victims of Virginia Tech. I appreciate your posting on this MM!

  1. Perfect. We don't need to be silent, we need to declare loudly that these lives are importants and should never have been lost.

  1. trav this is a beautiful post. it needs nothing, even cake... perfect.

    smiles, bee

  1. Songbird: We can only be who we are.

    Tisha: From introspection comes ideas.

    Villager: Today I contemplate our baser instincts and wonder.

    Jamie: And a way must be found to understand, so we may prevent.

    Bee: Thank you my dear.

  1. Very well said, Trav...but we expected nothing less from you my dear! :)

    Have a great Monday.

  1. Travis... Our minds are in the same place...

  1. Barb says:

    I posted that video today too.. along with a couple other things.

  1. Lisa Ryan says:

    thoughtful song and words Travis. I agree, listening to others is needed. and sometimes we need to be silent and listen to our own voice within.

  1. Sandee says:

    Travis, I almost did the same thing. Glad I didn't since you added to it so beautifully. Excellent choice.

  1. Unknown says:

    A wise man one told me...you must have both action and contemplation. They are dependent on each other. Thanks for the post!

  1. Angell says:

    Thank you Trav.

  1. CWM: Just expressing what I feel.

    V: Yup - saw yours this morning but didn't get a chance to comment.

    Skittles: I'll be buy later today to check it out.

    Lisa: You are correct, for how can we know what to speak if we fail to listen first?

    Comedy: One does one's best.

    Steven: Well put Sir.

    Angell: You are most welcome darlin.

  1. Meribah says:

    **Gives Trav's words two thumbs up**

  1. BeckEye says:

    Nicely done, Trav.

    Kudos to Paul and Art too!

  1. Anonymous says:

    I love this song, thank you.

  1. Great post. This song is so haunting. It has always been in a class of its own.

    I like what you said about 'listening to each other.'
    Very nice. Days like today make me proud to be a blogger. Reading all these comments is heartwarming.
    And brings hope.
    Thank you, Travis

  1. And thanks for putting up the BlogBlast banner and globe.
    Totally awesome.

  1. Anndi says:

    Beautiful... may we never be silenced...

  1. Meri: Thank you my dear.

    Beck: I thought it a most appropriate choice.

    Tegdirb: Welcome to my place.

    Mimi: There's a balance to be struck between speaking and listening.

    Ann: And may our voices be strong.

  1. Gee, Bee had the perfect compliment: It doesn't need cake!
    ~~~Blessings~~~

  1. Well said, Travis. Beautiful post.

  1. Liz Hill says:

    Wonderful Trav