When you hear the silvery voice
that touches your soul
you change
the clarity enters a place within
that glides along your veins
that penetrates your skin
it’s as though time stands still
the air stops breathing
words float as if upon leaves
tracing the flow of the rippling stream
tones rise and fall
till the voice silently fades
leaving a musical memory
a change
copyright JTacken 17.9.2015
Here I sit 11:00 pm on the first day of 2015.
I woke okay as did the girls (2 of my girlfriends) and Mr. S.
Our celebration began with watching some TV and the countdown to 12, watching the fireworks over and on Sydney Harbour Bridge. As we drew to the last minute, out came the sparklers, which we struggled to light in time! The sparklers though not having the same panache as the fireworks, at least didn’t scare the poor pets around us in neighbouring homes.
While I’m on this subject pet owners, if you haven’t learnt that you need to take measures to ensure your pets are safe and protected whilst fire crackers are raging around them, then please take note!
Whilst the four of us (yes the party was booming) waved our sparklers on the decking we counted down the last ten seconds.
Then it was kisses and hugs and messages of let’s hope for a better year.
Back inside, the coffee table spread with food and bottles of champagne and sparkling strawberry wine, we decided we wanted to sing. Our new TV is a smart TV, where we can watch youtubes and the Internet. So it was … Yes you guessed it KARAOKE TIME!
We all took turns in choosing songs to raise our voices too and there were some hilarious choices made, but there were also some emotional choices and not seeing my girls that night, got me teary.
We sang, we laughed, we ate, we sang some more, till our voices were croaky and our throats hoarse. Checking the time it was 4:30am.
I haven’t stayed up till that hour since I was a teenager.
This morning I got up and cooked bacon and eggs on the BBQ for everyone, as each bedroom door opened and 3 bodies with tired eyes sat down for their first breakfast of the year, there were smiles and “What a great night…morning”.
I hope you all had a wonderful celebration as did we.
x
Her leg held high, the line of her body
balletic, her arm cradling her head
Before sweeping it across the floor
moving to her chest, covering the
heart beating wildly beneath her skin
Her feet strapped in patent stilettos
her legs articulated on the boards
and he drew beside her, feathering
fingers on her bare waist
She stilled, drawing the back of her hand
across his cheek as they embraced
Intricate, complex their bodies entwined
Fervidly the drums beat
until their breathing synchronised
Copyright JMTacken 13.6.2014
I wanted to write outside of the circle that I’m in at the moment. A thank you to all of you for supporting me and continuing to read. I will try and read and comment on your posts whenever I can. x
Back in my day, I danced. Not ballroom or belly dancing (though I probably had the belly to do that) but that’s a visual you don’t need.
I loved dancing, I still do. Sadly, I don’t have the opportunity to strut myself on the dance floor much these days unless I’m at a wedding or a party (or in the privacy of my own home)… you know the ‘dance like no one’s watching‘ thing.
Back when I was younger, quite some moons ago, my dancing career began dressed in a tutu and parading in front of mum and pop. I then did ballet for a short while, but for reasons unbeknown to me, I didn’t continue.
As a teenager, I went through the ceremonial placing of the handbag on the dance floor, when I went out with my girlfriends to pubs, while us girls formed a circle around said handbags to shake our booty. Back then, yes live bands existed and didn’t we love them.
I’ve done the stomp, the twist, the pony, the swim, the lawn mower and most of the then ‘trendy’ dances that were popular.
I taught myself to waltz, when I danced with Pop and I even managed the polka and half hearted attempts of Zorba. Oh how I wished I had learned to Tango or Salsa.
I have shimmied, shook, swayed, sashayed, thrown my arms up in the air, put hands to the floor, breathing in the music. The beat, the ever glorious, exhilarating sounds. Letting my mind just go with the flow.
Now when I get up to dance, (it’s usually without Mr.S as he’s not a dancer) on most occasions I’m more subdued, as much as my inner beast wants to let fly, go crazy, hip swing, shake what my mumma gave me, I rein myself in.
I asked myself why, the answer came back, because when I do see women my age dancing like they were 17 again, I shudder slightly, that ‘mutton dressed up as lamb’ thing. I know they are up there enjoying themselves, dancing like no ones watching. I know they are merely loving being in the moment, like free falling from an aircraft (though I wouldn’t love that moment). Yet, part of me thinks of the age and how silly someone my age can look ‘Dancing like an Egyptian’, twisting, hip hopping, or god forbid ‘twerking’ .
Or is it just me being too self conscious? Should I dance how I once did, regardless of how I look to others, knowing I have full health insurance? Pretend they aren’t laughing at me, not caring if they are? Or should I dance appropriately for a woman my age? Mind you what is appropriate dancing for a 58 year old? Oh and yes in 20 years time maybe I will be that lady in Aqua.:-)
[youtube.com/watch?v=SYDrQqJVZMc]
spirit of music, beckons
sounds evoke images, ears absorb
they swirl around your core
then settle, within the depth of you
drops of silken water touch leaves
waterfalls cascade down glassy rocks
rainbows stretch across hills
clouds float along the breeze
waves tumble to the shore
snow slowly melts on the bough
sunset on a slow summers night
branches bow against the breeze
the notes are more than these
go with them, they guide you to
places you have never been
some make you soar
fly on wings ‘cross crystal oceans
or darkness and shadows appear
what you experience, what you hear
listen
as notes heighten senses
music changes you, brings tears
of sadness, or of joy
instruments or words
they can alter the thoughts
you now possess
before you began to play
©jmtacken 17 Feb 2014
and a nudge or two from Brian on this one ~ thank you~ I struggle with passive and active language ..but I’m learning!
Whilst looking up songs for my homework, I came upon this… PLEASE…. read these words…
the call of distant pipes listen
can you hear the mandolin gentle strum
its melody drifting to the fire, we watch
as moon light splinters the clouds
and bounces onto golden flames
love circled by young hearts
the gentle rustling of leaves on boughs
natures perfume drifts as darkness
enfolds the woods, this summers eve
shadowing the castle walls
a raven calls as black as night, wings in flight
venturing across the skies, you play to me
sparks soar merging with the fire-flies
my heart softened by the sound
by earth itself
trembling hands we reach, as shooting stars
take their journey, lowered head I blush
for love that is divine, untarnished
gathered skirts, I clasp your hand in mine
giving of our love, the only sounds I hear
is your love for me, the pipes and mandolin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written whilst listening to Loreena
Please hit play as you read
I love
bare feet walking on wet sand
lying on softened grass
covering myself in blankets
staring into an open fire
telling you I love you
AND
listening to a symphony of insects
morning mist latching onto trees
walking without a destination
dancing in the summer rain
watching lovers holding hands
AND
hot showers on a wintry day
scented candles burning in the night
the softness of the strings
the lilt of the ivories
close your eyes and listen
AND
music filling my body
cradling a new born baby in my arms
listening to thunderstorms
watching the sun as it rises
the taste of a beautiful wine
AND
walking through a forest
incense burning
staring into rock pools
hugging my parents
being with my daughters
holding onto treasured memories
my head has it’s own heart beat
Lately I have been writing poetry/prose/flash fiction.
Tonight I find myself in a general thought writing mood.
I should place the warning sign – Enter at own Risk, because this could bore the pants off you.
Whilst driving home from work tonight, I was listening to a radio station that I had not listened to before. They advertise ‘The Best Songs of all Time.’ Whether their statement is based on fact or not, would depend on the demographic of listeners and what type of music they enjoy listening too (I am older therefore I enjoyed).
I listened to Elvis, Herman & The Hermits, John Denver, Dionne Warwick, The Righteous Bros and many more. As I drove, I sang along to them – all of them. Words came out from the deep recesses of my grey cells, lyrics, from when I was younger, in my teens, my 20’s, my 30’s, my 40’s. (I won’t go on with the age as I am scaring myself).
I enjoy many songs that are currently playing on the radio, in fact I really like Robin Thicke and Blurred Lines – if it comes on at work (yes I am lucky enough to have a radio in my office) I can’t help but wiggle in my chair. Just quietly, it certainly does not hurt that Mr Thicke is one mighty fine lookin’ young man (well I think he is at any rate). In saying that, shall I remember the lyrics to this song in 20+ years, the answer is no. I shall hopefully though still be able to remember how Mr. Thicke looks, but that’s about it. I also love Just Give me a Reason by Pink (I pretty much love all her songs). I love music, I love writing whilst listening to music. I love dancing to music (back in the days when the stomp was fashionable) ok and after that..
Which got me thinking some more – we all know music has the ability to affect our moods.
Sad songs will bring us to tears, remind of us of broken hearts, of people we have lost, be it friends or those who have left the earth coil.
Happy songs will get us bouncing & dancing round the floor to the point of losing our knickers.
Pretty songs about love or seasons will bring a smile, a gentle sigh and feeling of warm and fuzziness.
Angry songs…well they just make me angry so I guess they are having the affect they wanted.
I’m sorry but I can’t listen to head-banging-mosh-pitting-devil worshipping-nothingness. (Iron Maiden and the like) who you say? If it isn’t harmonious, it’s not a song in my books.
1. It gives me a headache and
2. Is it really music?
Songs that take me back, allowing me to remember certain times in my life are what stay with me. The lyrics remaining in my (sometimes can’t even think of what I did yesterday) brain is something that astounds me.
I have heard so many over my years, as I am sure people in my age bracket have and it’s comforting when ‘old friends’ return, so that I can sing along with them once again.
Music and its affect on us is far ranging, will certain music cheer us if we are sad, or turn us into blubbering messes if we started off happy? If we are not in the right ‘place’ to listen, will it not affect us at all?
I could write a few pages on the different songs that I like, why I like them, how they make me feel.
In my youth I listened to Cream, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Small Faces, Beatles, Deep Purple, now I like R & B, some country, Andre Bocelli, Celtic singers and yes the ‘Golden Oldies’. My taste is still varied, I will listening to almost anything (apart from the head banging nonsense).
Below is one of the tunes (oh how old does that sound) that I heard on my drive home and it brought to mind friends, friends who are having it tough of late, friends whose lives have been thrown a curve ball. Yes, I sang along to Dionne and I got misty eyed.
This song makes you sigh and makes you a little melancholy, it’s not a losing your knickers type song. I do believe Elton has hair?
If you like, perhaps you would like to listen to the one that got me misty. … to my friend..this is for you.
[youtube.com/watch?v=xGbnua2kSa8]Are there any songs special to you, who did you listen to when you were younger? Your thoughts..talk to me.
Strolling
kick up scattered pebbles that cross my path
sun sheets hang on tentacle boughs
my heart warm as the sun
music plays in my head ….cellos and violins and spanish guitars
a plethora of sounds ….a symphony of elements and bouncing coloured notes
dancing with my thoughts
that make me smile
a stave jouncing in rhythm to the strums
I stroll and imagine life in the woods
when I was young
capturing visions of fairies and elves
and all that is good
they dance upon the fallen tree trunks
and call to baby fawns
I crouch in hiding and hear them giggle
watch them pirouette amongst the leaves
the music does this as I stroll and watch and feel the sun
with a smile inside my heart
For Alastair http://alastairsphotofiction.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/photo-fiction-sunday-26th-may-2013/
The picture from Alastair may be fog – however I took it as sun.. Thank you Alastair. If anyone enjoys photo prompts, please go and visit and join in the fun and challenge.
Ramblings From A Mum 