The Sound Carries is song-poem I wrote for my mother, written when I was fully-fledged but still young. At the time, I was flying fast and far. In her day, my mom also far flew, just as my own daughter has done and is still doing. This seems to be a pattern on my side of the family but I've also noticed another one which I'll call 'the great circling back'. A mother's heart is always a radar scanning the arc of the sky on the lookout and with hope for that return flight home.
In the photo above I'm sitting beside my mother, circa 1960, together in contemplation on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. Being right by her side was where I always wanted to be when I was a little girl. Now my mom is 88 years old. Shortly, I'm going to brave the world by driving to the coast to give her a hug, the first she'll have had from anyone since lock down began many weeks ago. This feels dangerous and daring, possibly irresponsible, but things are easing now and who knows, there may only be a small window of time. It feels imperative. I'll wash my hands well, we'll both wear masks, then I'll wrap my arms around her, facing away of course but settling in deep, to the feel the beat of her heart while I still can. Damn the torpedoes!
The Sound Carries
Guiding light
gently ever so
my touchstone
whenever I’m touching home
my perfumed
soft morning mama
so much older
sometimes younger than I
balancing
sending me on my way
the lilies of the field don’t worry
so don’t you worry
about me
all is well
Interior friend
have faith
I must travel
the hound of heaven has found me
where he leads
I must follow
on a dark run
through blinding rain
leaning over the horse’s neck
urged on
by hidden persuaders
weaving the sound of a new age
and the sound says
all is well
and the sound
carries
The sound carries you
carries me
carries us
through eternity
turn turn
turn around
greet the harmony
We can’t avoid what we cause
we effect
let us keep in mind
what's so easy to forget
it takes full-time
permanent
to work for conscious-raising
all are welcome
to apply
it’s in this trying
not the getting there
that keeps this old world turning
turning
the sound
free
And the sound carries you
carries me
carries us
through eternity
turn turn
turn around
greet the harmony
© Anne Beverly Brown
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