“As if we could hear music inside the words”
–Gail Newman, “Trust”
I hear, but cannot stop the chirp of time,
it travels in waves with the flap of wings,
and in flowing light it sings,
celestial harmonies pulsing in shimmers–
even caged, it chitters and cheeps,
dives and circles, soars and sweeps
past to future, a never-ending story
of bangs and fury, prismed glory
that curves and repeats—again and again
I become my mother and my daughters, all the before and ever-after,
my words are carried on a glittering song,
the essence of my universe, music and laughter.
This is for dVerse, where on Tuesday, Laura asked us to “begin at the end” by using one of the final lines she supplied to influence our own poem. She asks us to think about our own ending lines. Today, Peter asks us to consider our beginning lines.
Ever since I read this article about a Blackfoot woman who translated astrophysics terms into the Blackfoot language, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about chirping stars.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I love it… and since I’ve heard about chirping stars too (more in terms of astrophysics) I can understand how that can inspire into a wonderful transcendental journey through time-space as you describe.
Thank you so much, Björn. I’m glad that it worked for someone who has so much more science knowledge. The fact of all the sounds in the universe just resonates with me.
Such a stunning amalgamation of two prompts, Merril 😀 I especially love; “I become my mother and my daughters, all the before and ever-after, my words are carried on a glittering song.”💝💝
Thank you very much, Sanaa! ❤️
You’re most welcome 🙂
So many wonderings to ponder here in your poem. I especially like this stanza,
“even caged, it chitters and cheeps,
dives and circles, soars and sweeps
past to future, a never-ending story”
Musical to read.
Thank you so much, Ali!
Tempus fugit it but gets to do much else too by way of sight and sound – Lovely post Merril thank you
Thank you so much, Susan!
Wonderful meditation on time Merril. – And that first line is a beauty – ‘the chirp of time’ – it’s such a disruptive image – which you’ve continued down through the rest of the poem. I particularly liked the third stanza – ‘even caged it chitters and cheeps…’ – for some reason I thought of alarm clocks and rattlesnakes – and that lyrical last stanza – time is different now – no longer restless, it is circular and musical. Love it.
Beautiful with an everlasting vibe to it. ❤ ❤
Thank you very much, Lucy! 💙
Motion is what jumps out at me in your poem, Merril. Things in perpetual motion. I very much enjoy your description of the chirping pulse of the universe.
Thank you so much, Lisa!
You’re welcome.
An apt description of the passage of time.
Thank you, Beverly.
A fascinating poem that’s given my imagination so much to consider.
That’s a wonderful thing. Thank you!
This is no mere chirp; it’s an aria, and it’s perfectly delivered. Wonderful work, Merril.
Aww–that is so kind. Thank you, Ron!
A beautiful poem, the last stanza tugged at my heartstrings. The generations of strong women in my family ~ I follow.
Thank you so much, Helen! Yes, there are lots of strong women in my family, too.
Western history is so tone-deaf; its just victor over victor over victor. How lovely and charming this celestial snake of a heritage. Over at earthweal this week we’ve been writing about deep time and this poem would fit so well.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I saw a couple of poems for your deep time post, and it did interest me. I contributed to the Black Bough Deep Time volumes.
I really like the mother/daughters line. It reminds me that RNA comes only from the mother, so gets passed down unchanged (apart from mutations) grandmother to mother to daughter, etc, down through the generations…
Thank you very much. I’m glad that line made you think.
Beautiful, Merril. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Jill.
“my mother and my daughters, all the before and ever-after”
This is a brilliant insight.
Thank you so much!
I love the language of this, it sings. Truly there is music inside the words.
Thank you so much. That is such a lovely thing to say. 💙
I love the metaphor of time as a bird. I’ve never thought about it that way; it brings a whole new perception of time to consider. I’m happy to say that the last stanza fits me, my mother, and my daughter.
Thank you so much. I just love the idea of star birds. I’m glad you feel that stanza, too. 💙
You’re welcome. 🙂
You certainly do have a lively readership. This touch of Blackfoot metaphysics is delicious and deep. If we jump a dimension or brave the veil, we find that on the other side time does not exist; what a concept. This is a wonderful “never-ending story of bangs and fury”, smile
Thank you so much, Glenn. Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with stars, time, history. . .😀
The chirp of time is always before our eyes and minds. I love what you have done here. The never ending story of time… a great concept! Well done!
Thank you so much, Dwight. I’m so pleased you like it.
You are welcome!
I become my mother, and my daughters …. captures the continuity so well. Uniqueness is just vanity.
Thank you very much, Reena.
Merril
I loved this!
-David
Thank you very much, David!
I love the unusual description of ‘the chirp of time’ and the musicality of this poem: I could hear the music inside the words as I read!
That’s lovely. Thank you!
I love the way you merged the prompts, Merril, the wonderful opening line with ‘the chirp of time’, the alliteration in ‘even caged, it chitters and cheeps’, and the waves which ebb and flow with the rhymes.
The musical sounds of time is a fascinating concept – as is “I become my mother and my daughters”
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Time chirping! What a wonderful notion! Of course, the stars are like birds, nesting, hatching and flocking. Thank you for translating for us 🙂
Thank you so much! It seems so obvious, doesn’t it? 😀
It does, now that you’ve pointed it out!
😀
Fascinating. To me, you captured the sounds of time in deep space. … my favorite line – “celestial harmonies pulsing in shimmers” … beautiful!
Thank you very much, Frank. It fascinates me, and I’m pleased you enjoyed it, too.
Our bodies provide their own wordless translations. I would love to hear the songs of our DNA. I’m sure it harmonizes with the stars. (K)
I’m sure you’re right. Thank you!
a stellar poem, the cycle of life and the infinity of the universe united!
Thank you very much, Kate!
I particularly like
“even caged, it chitters and cheeps,
dives and circles, soars and sweeps
past to future, a never-ending story
of bangs and fury, prismed glory”
You are such a sklllful poet.
JIM
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words so much, Jim!
It’s all been said so I shall just say: Lovely and wonderful movement!
Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
Fascinating open Ning, and a wonderful poem. Well written. 🙂 Excellent Merrill.
Thank you very much, Rob!