This Poem was Submitted By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2003-09-16 19:31:53 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Sweet, Sweet Music

Everyone taps a toe to a tune he knows and has a go at the piano. It's said to soothe the rabid beast, heal, promote real feats of growth in flora. Music is more than thought before: ants sing at their chores, sand sings on New England shores, and rocks ring as long as one pings them. One of the oldest instruments,  now preserved, is made of stones with the look and tone of a xylophone. As ancient man looked to a fan of sky, seeking the divine, his soul also cried for lines of rhythm and rolls of sound. Let it be found! And God heard man's plea and in a delicious delivery, gave His new few a capacity for music.
Copyright © September 2003 Mell W. Morris

Additional Notes:
Part I of II. Scientists have recorded ants singing and singing rocks and sands are also factual.

This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2003-10-07 22:39:39
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.45098
Mell I look forward to part two for in this part you have created the sound now what could possibly be next? Music like writing gives flow to ease the tensions or heighten the moment. You have laid the ground work for the next segment of the poem for I do feel it is not complete yet. You use such wonderful communication to show us what God has granted man. Well done. Looking forward for more. Tom

This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2003-10-04 09:32:37
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.31250
Dear Mell, This piece is singing out to me in joy, just to be read aloud and HEARD! Oh girl, you got the sweet sweet music in you. As soon as I saw the title I knew I wanted to read this one aloud. And you evoke the sweet music of nature with this lovely poem. The really cool thing about this one is that it not only has the rhythm of music but is also astutely imformational. You remember when you told me poetry must bounce all over the page? Well you most definately live up to that here. Starting with your repititions of T in toe/tap/tune you draw the reader in with a bounce right from the getgo(is that a word? lol) I would have expected you to say "soothe the savage beast" but you surprise me here by using the word "rabid" and that works even better. Your toe/know/go rhymes are just the start of bouncing rhymes you have in the middle of these stanza that creates such wonderful rhythm. Again in s2 before/chores/shores and sing/ring/ping, you are bouncing my socks off! s3 has stone/tone/xylophone and s4 sound/found and plea/delivery/capacity. Girl you got it going on! And then at the end you bring all the glory right back to the creator and I so love that! You have captured my heart today and I hope you realize how serious I am. Thanks for giving me such pleasure to my morning. Blessings, Jennifer
This Poem was Critiqued By: Jane A Day On Date: 2003-10-02 14:19:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.38095
Dear Mell, I love the bee bop of this poem. Some of the line breaks distract me and the enjambments seem a little off. go at at their on New I like each line to mean of itself. But overall it is my pleasure to read of singing ants and stones. I love the meter you have chosen as well. Jane
This Poem was Critiqued By: Erzahl Leo M. Espino On Date: 2003-09-26 00:19:23
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.20000
Hi Mell, This is very informative and at the same time entertaining! I like the idea that music is a “universal” thing…on how it can influence man, a “rabid beast”, insects and even the wonder of nature. I also like how man can perceive this source of music from these “unlikely” instruments. You have described the “modern” instruments in the first stanza, and I like how you described the “Flinstones-like” instruments in the second stanza. The comparison is very amusing! The discovery of this mummified instrument that looks and sounds like a “xylophone” is truly a surprise. If we could only get their compositions and styles on how they use this instrument - is more so intriguing. It is nice to know if they have some “Bach” and “Mozart” during their time. I like how you describe the vastness of the firmament as “fan of sky” – lyrically done! And how their spiritual quest (or in your poetic words “seeking the divine”) was answered and rewarded by these listed ancient discoveries. I like how you declare it “Let it be found!”. I found the exclamatory point very effective. It also shows how “passionate” man is when it comes to music even during the first early years. And glad to say, the influence is continuously evolving and improving. Kudos on your wonderful work here Mell! Again, you amaze us with your talent in different and unique subjects and how you present it in complete details and at the same time with artistry is truly outstanding! Thanks for posting this for our enjoyment! Another top-notch! As always, Erzahl :)
This Poem was Critiqued By: Drenda D. Cooper On Date: 2003-09-25 13:24:19
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.00000
Mell, here I am again..Singing "kudoes" to your poetry. I can hardly wait for Part II. NOt only are most of your works of art lovely to read and enjoy, but most are "educational" in some way.. I learned in this one, for instance, about singing ants and rocks and sands. It is so true that everyone is affected in some way by music (good music to me might not be the same to my son and vice versa) but we each enjoy our own. I love "practically" all forms of music (never quite got the jist of Hard Rock and Acid Rock or some of the Hip HOp and Rap--if you can even call that music).. But, then, I don't expect everyone to thrill to the sound of bagpipes (as I do) so to each his own..Tis true, however, about its ability to soothe the "rabid beast" great choice of phrase here--and I had heard about plants' responses to it being studied.........And, I certainly believe in its 'healing powers.' There have probably been tens of thousands of verses written about Music but in this short poem your hallmark style gives a refreshingly delightful possibility into the origins of the source of it. As for capacity, only a few seem to have the "capacity" of a Bach or Beethoven to create music, many more have the capacity to play what has been written (a few of those do it very well), but nearly every human who has lived since your ancient man's soul reached out for those "lines of rhythm and rolls of sound" have the capacity to revel in its enjoyment..... What I really loved about this poem was the nature of the expansion given to musicality of the entire universe--to which, IMHO, is in no doubt..and the way you make the reader see this in this verse: "Music is more than thought before: ants sing at their chores, sand sings on New England shores, and rocks ring as long as one pings them. I have often thought about interpretations of music in the sounds of nature, but in the usual things like birds' songs and the hum of bees, etc. I learned another new fact about the oldest preserved instrument made of stones...It really makes one sit back and think how far everything has come..from ancient rock pinging to modern day computerized "zinging"...I wonder which came first in antiquity..the invention of the wheel or the discovery of music...and as one was important to the advancement of man to the industrial age and on to the technological age..was the other's importance to make the journey along the way and through the hard and trying times bearable...as is still true today....I wonder what songs the stars sing to each other in space and what constitutes "heavenly music" and how do our souls hear? Perhaps in Part II .....................drenda
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2003-09-21 06:30:54
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.50000
Hi Mell! Of all the poems I have read and critiqued these past few days, this would have to be the best. Pregnant with optimum use of imagination, the poem immediately draws us into the timeless world of ‘Sweet, sweet music’. I was particularly impressed with the broad platform our heroine (music) is given in the poem, which talks about her origins, her influences, her divinity. I also noticed a pattern here which seems to work from a more present day music (everyone taps a toe to a tune he knows and has a go at the piano), through an image of a very early instrument (‘made of stones, with the look and tone of a xylophone’) (ancient man), to the grant by God, of the capacity to play and make music. I particularly loved the use of imagery, which is effectively delivered throughout the poem. The image of the ancient man looking to a fan of sky (nice choice of words) is especially interesting. One cannot of course ignore the rhyme scheme on which this poem carries forward with music of its own (plea – delivery, stone – xylophone, chores – shores, etc) This was a fantastic piece of writing. I would leave this the way it is. Here’s to music!! Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2003-09-17 10:05:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.56667
Indeed ants do sing and if you are ever sitting on my deck at night, after the sun goes down, you will hear off to the west, near the entrance of the woods the sound of music that is gentle and sweet.....I often stop and wonder whre it comes from and once I even ventured into the woods following the sound but never found the player other then the air around me.......I have heard the birds singing in chorus to God their nightly songs as well and the beauty created within the lines of this poem are very special indeed. Structured in true form allowing your words to just begin and continue flowing carrying the reader along in mystical wonder for she knows the truth you tell along the way......love the ocean as well and all the beauty and sounds that come from within its vastness......from the little sea creatures to the great white whales.....the waves splashing, mounting and breaking one larger then before bringing with it sounds of greatness from heaven above.....thank you for posting and sharing this with us. Be safe my friend, God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne Duval Morgan On Date: 2003-09-17 04:52:10
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.88235
Yes, yes, yes, all factual, love the way you captured the sensation with your fine tuning of words, highlighting by fact, which is recorded for all who take in the full essence of what surrounds, us and envisioning all the possibilities, that are actually factual if one allows themself to hear the music that springs, from life eternal, it surrounds us all we have to do is listen, it's in the soul before it's in the mind, all we have to do is listen, and partake all of Gods creation, we humans, have just built on what was here long before we were. If one has seen the coasts, the highlands, listen to the breeze as it sings through all the flora, funa, and mineral deposits created, by wind, by water, by time. Drum beats duplicated the raw power, but the singing and gentleness of the earth was always here, for the Creator had the mind to create the raw beauty, so that we in the measurement of man, established by the Greeks many years ago, have utilized. Yes those stones that cave men derived in an instrument of beauty does exist, the raw tones of melodic instruments derived from all of eath that sounds us. In Gods creation he gave us the power to see this beauty, to enjoy, to comprise new sounds, built upon all the time that precedes the current time we live in, and yet just think of the possibilities still to come, for with the mind we can continue to build upon all the arts, it's not static, by no means, top tapping has been the call, and it will continue, for it is in the soul. Mell I love the way you combined so many elements in this composition, which catches all the elements of musical beats. Ever been to the Coast line in Hawaii, the revages of the wild sea, has left craves, and hollowed out rocks, that still sing for those that have the ear to listen, as deep caves do, as inlets of water have created, mankind took what God created, and built upon it, duplicating, and creating all the facets music has gone through. The Humanaties (A College Course offered, is a great teacher of this reality), without Gods creation? Ah, that's the biggest question. I do love how they captured Ants singing, no doubt their rhythm, their beat, their Language, and how about the sound of leaves, and arie currents passing through the trees, or around the flatland, the moutains, music surrounds us, all we have to do is listen. Great joj Friend/Girl you've outdone yourself with this one, for it has it's beat, and has been a treat, to see this fantastic feat, of composition......Love and Good luck (you make it difficult for me every month you submit multiple submissions....Best always, Jo
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2003-09-16 22:36:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Whoa!! This poem is wide awake and *alive* in a way almost indescribable. But I will try. It sails the reader into unchartered waters and combines images in a way that makes my mind go 'ping' and my soul ring with delight. Oh, this is knock-your-socks-off ORIGINAL! It is spiritual jump-start, a tune-up for the soul, a thrill to a lover of poetry, and a divine kiss from above to you to us. No one but you could have written this. Everyone "taps a toe to a tune" - splendiferous example of onomatopoeia! he knows and has a go at the piano. It's said to soothe the rabid beast, heal, promote real feats of growth in flora. So many modulated, syncopated, not-adumbrative sounds and words that telescope into -- whew!-- words with a carry-on life of their own. Music is more than thought before: ants sing at their chores, sand sings on New England shores, and rocks ring as long as one pings them. The first line recalls something I've been tossing around philosophically for years (and years) and then enjambs into another thought - "before." Music IS "more than thought" - and it really can't be defined by anything than itself. It is the core - I think - of what IS. That's the first line by itself, maybe. Then - you give us the singing ants, ringing rocks who ping as long as "one pings them." The interconnectedness of it all gives me a huge 'ping' of joy - I may not be able to state it sufficiently strongly without being redundant to a didickerous degree even for me! One of the oldest instruments, now preserved, is made of stones with the look and tone of a xylophone. As ancient man looked to a fan of sky, seeking the divine, his soul also "look and tone of a xylophone" makes me want to dance on down the street. Forget that it's dark, raining, cold - and I'm old - you bring life to these words that exceeds them, and their rhythm gives life to a real music within this reader, at least. I know other readers will be jolted back to life with this poem - and it's one I really feel deserves to go on and sing within the bones of many more people than can access it here. How can I be more emphatic? cried for lines of rhythm and rolls of sound. Let it be found! And God heard man's plea and in a delicious delivery, gave His new few a capacity for music. Chills and scalp prickles are tickling me, because your implication here, if I understand your drift -- of "His new few" is of a Creator creating us "new" and that is a very exciting idea. In that He gave us this capacity which He created, we are like him. Your poem honors creativity, the Creator, music, and - sigh! just about everything I could think of to put into the kettle. I LOVE this poem and "Let it be found!" is what I wish for it. Mell, you've outdone even yourself this time, and I hope you will believe me. Now I see at least in part where your son came by his musical brilliance. Encore!! Brava! All me best, Joanne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Rick Barnes On Date: 2003-09-16 21:50:41
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Mell, The whole damn universe is vibrating isn't it? Some of those vibrations we see, some we feel, some we hear, well you get the idea...obviously...you wrote the poem celebrating the fact. And what a poemit is. I wasn't aware of ant songs and such, but I never thought for a moment they didn't exist. I noticed that this is part one. HOT DAMN!, as they say 'round these parts. Your rhyme dispersion is delectable and when combined with your rhythms you create quite a song about music. Here are some things about our music that amaze me. We have a musical scale because we hear non-linearly. As a matter of fact we hear logarithmically. We hear the same note repeating itself only higher in pitch and double the vibrations per second. We call this an octave. Duh! But here is where it gets interesting. The notes between octaves are not separted linearly. They are separated logarithmically. But why are these "notes universal? Twelve in the chromatic scle, sixteen in some cultures. (As a matter of fact, note bending, ((slurring)), can be traced in Western music to slaves playing music on western instrument which didn't have the "missing" 4 notes in their scale. At least that is one theory.) But why these notes? Well, because if your play an "A" on a taut string at say 110 vibrations per second that same string is also vibrating at 220 vibrations or "A" one octave higher. It is also vibrating at 440 etc. etc. BUT... it is also vibrating 330 times a secnd, or the note "E"..."A"'s perfect fifth. It is also vibrating 550 times per second, or the note C sharp...the third note in the "Scale" of "A". This stacking of the "fundamental frequency, 110,220,330,440,550,660,770,etc, results in the notes;A-B-C#-D-E-F#-G#-A, or the "A" MAjor SCALE!!!. WE DIDN'T INVENT MUSIC, WE DISCOVERED IT. I realize you probably already know all of this, but it stalls me in my tracks and I get all carried away which culminates in this sort of diatribe. Pardon my digression... I eagerly await part two Mell-o-dious. Rick-O
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