I have heard songbirds’ over-
lapping whistles, the whisper
of sparrow wings wheeling on the breeze,
raindrops bouncing off dusty
autumn paths, and the rattling
somersaults of the last leaves from trees.
I’ve listened to the sun sizzle
into evening, bats flicker in cooling twilight air,
snowflakes kissing a frozen window-
pane, a cat purring on my favourite chair.
I’ve dived and swum in waves
of music, wallowed in the words of poems too,
but the one sound I wish
to hear again is the voice that belonged to you.
Kim M. Russell, 29th October 2019
My response to dVerse Poets Pub Poetics: Tears in rain – using our senses
This evening, Sarah’s behind the dVerse Bar with a double – a double tribute: firstly, it’s a tribute to Blade Runner and, secondly, it’s a tribute to the late Rutger Hauer, who not only played Roy Batty, but also delivered the most famous (improvised) speech in the film, our inspiration for this prompt.
Sarah has provided a link to the speech, as well as a transcript and an interview with Rutger Hauer.
The challenge is to write a poem that tells a story or shows a character just in the things they’ve sensed. We can choose any sense that works. Sarah’s examples are a mother who remembers a pink romper suit or a prom dress, or a knight who remembers the feel of a wooden toy sword or the heft of an iron blade. Sarah says we can use our own experiences or our imagination; keep it real or venture into the realms of fantasy; write in the past, present or future.
writing in north norfolk 
Perfect response to the prompt, Kim – you swept me along. I love your confident enjambment here – it gives the poem real dynamism.
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Thank you, Sarah, that means a lot to me. .
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This is so wonderful… love all the wonderful sounds including the synesthesia of the sizzle of sun and how you tied it all together with the memory of a lost voice.
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You’ve made my evening. By the way, we have stairs again! I can sleep in my own bed tonight.😊
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Wow— I cannot imagine having to live below.
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And I had a good night’s sleep!
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Great poem Kim!
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Thanks!
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What an absolutely wonderful response!
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Thank you so much, dear Linda. Update: the stairs are in! They kept working yesterday until we could use the stairs safely. I slept in my own bed, with Mojo on my hip!
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That’s wonderful to hear!
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I liked the thought of listening to that sizzling sun.
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Thanks Frank.
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beautiful. it was as if you rewrote his words and made them yours. Perfect.
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Thank you so much, Toni.
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When I see Rutger’s picture here I’m imagining his wonderful voice we will never hear again.
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His voice was a very rich one – what I call a ‘dark brown’ voice.
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Wow, a sensual feast, an auditory word journey that captivates and fascinates. A sterling response to the prompt.
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Thank you so much, Glenn. I’ve just had my first good night’s sleep in a week. The stairs are in, not quite finished, and I said goodbye to the sofa! I’ll be over shortly to read and comment.
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So incredibly poignant and lovely, Kim.
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Thank you kindly, Bev.
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There’s a longing in this that can only come from the need to have something – or someone – that is no longer there. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Ken.
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lovely sounds you created here like a song – ” sun sizzle
into evening” – divine!
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Thank you, Laura!
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So sensual and wistful–beautiful. (K)
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Thank you so much, Kerfe.
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Beautiful! I love the build up of all the senses only to find there is one sound you can never hear!
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Thank you, Dwight!
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You bring your loss to life. How empty is even the most beautiful and fulfilling space, if one element is missing.
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It only takes one element to upset one’s balance.
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Such a provocative and tender poem Kim and beautifully articulated and alliterated, particularly love this line ‘lapping whistles, the whisper
of sparrow wings wheeling on the breeze’
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Thank you, Catherine-Jayne.
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A voice not heard is powerful. Beautifully written!
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Thank you, Mary!
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