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Showing posts with label song. Show all posts
Showing posts with label song. Show all posts

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

Songburst

A few days ago, I was sitting outside grabbing a few moments peace and quiet when my attention was captured by a blackbird singing. He was sitting on top of the roof and sang for about twenty minutes. I looked all around but saw no other blackbird in the vicinity.
It occurred to me that the blackbird sings because he must -
not because of his audience;
not because his schedule said he should;
not because he gets paid to do so;
not because his neighbours or colleagues were doing so and he had to 'keep up';
not because its the right thing to do.
The blackbird sings because he is so full of song that it bursts out of him and he sings until that songburst is used up.
What things in my life give rise to a similar songburst?
How often must I 'sing' because the impulse is so strong I cannot resist it?
When did I last do something so spontaneous and free as a blackbird's song?

Sunday, 29 March 2009

Stilte


Zolang er nog ergens iemand bestaat
met wie ik als mens kan spreken
vind ik ook wel een stilte
midden op straat
een stilte die niet kan breken.

Een kostbare stilte van zuiver glas
dat ik zelf
met mijn stem heb geslepen.
Als ik er niet was
en die stem er niet was
had niemand die stilte begrepen.

Maar als Hij er niet was
en Zijn stem was er niet
dan was er van stilte geen sprake.
Alleen maar van zwijgen,
zo hard als graniet
en dat kan je doodeenzaam maken.

Maar de stilte,
dat is een tweestemmig lied,
waarin God en de mens elkaar raken.


Written by Guillaume van der Graft