Tuesday, August 15, 2006

The Sound of Silence


I don't normally notice that I sit in silence for most of the day everyday. But during my prayer time this morning I suddenly became very aware of it. I was going to call this post "Into the mystic"... but Darrell might have gotten a big head. :)

Here is what I hear: Meredith is across the road trimming his bushes; locusts are awake early; birds; jets overhead (the airport is 2 miles away); trucks and cars on the interstate (1 1/2 miles away); an occasional car going by the office; the hum of the computer; the keys as I type; my chair squeaks when I move; the windows and walls make noise when the sun comes out.

Meredith's trimmer is the dominant sound, followed by the locusts. Actually, now Meredith is using his shopvac to clean up the clippings. It is almost a mesmerizing sound. And as another car goes by... it really does sound like it's going in-to the mystic. Where are they going; who is in the car; what are they talking about, thinking, listening to, hearing; are they looking forward to getting to their destination or dreading it; happy or sad; lonely or lively??? I wonder.

Silence has so many sounds. So many questions.

Are there answers?

2 comments:

Whisky Prajer said...

Well, my head would be larger if Van Morrison hadn't beat me to it. But how likely is it that he was the first to use it? Hmm... time to consult Google.

dan said...

Darrell,
Ahh, 'we were born before the wind...'

Actually, I have a story about this Van Morrison album that "Into the Mystic" is on. When our daughter was born she had a few weeks of colic, and we finally figured out that Van's "Moondance" album was the only thing that would calm her down. It has forever held fond memories for us (besides being one of the best albums of all time).

Hope the vacation went well!
peace,
dan