“Nearly everything we are taught is false except how to read”
~ Jim Harrison from Songs of Unreason
Reading books to fill my time
-stories of perfect laughter
-tales of action and crime
These fables took me away
rocking my spirit, making it sway
And yet, for no rhyme of reason
I never learnt to read the seasons
I missed the subtle change from calm
to the stormy rage signalling harm
I missed the conception of lies
that sought to weave my demise
I’ve learnt to read the clenching of jaw
where words play no part
I’ve learnt to read long silences
with the racing of my heart
©Vivian Zems
June 11, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Oh! This is so good! Love how you applied that ‘spin’ you mentioned! I actually wrote another poem (unpublished) from this that had a similar take. Reading people. This was worth the wait, Vivian!
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June 11, 2018 at 8:05 pm
Thanks Jilly!☺️
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June 11, 2018 at 8:17 pm
I agree with Jilly!
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June 11, 2018 at 9:42 pm
😊 thanks!
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June 11, 2018 at 9:33 pm
Yes to that last line. And like you said in my comment, much to learn to ready besides words!!
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June 11, 2018 at 9:39 pm
Absolutely!
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June 11, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Excellent, Vivian. Reading people–that final couplet is wonderful.
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June 11, 2018 at 10:20 pm
Thank you 😊
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June 11, 2018 at 10:00 pm
Some reading is more essential than words.
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June 12, 2018 at 12:20 am
Indeed!
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June 11, 2018 at 10:28 pm
Excellent write Vivian. We learn a bit more each time.
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June 12, 2018 at 12:19 am
Always…. (thank you 🙂 )
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June 12, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Reading our fellow human beings is an important skill to master.
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June 12, 2018 at 5:45 pm
Very much so!
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June 12, 2018 at 12:41 pm
That is a fabulous opening quote, Vivian. Reading is the single greatest gift we are given and so many take the skill for granted when the majority of people in the world are illiterate.
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June 12, 2018 at 5:44 pm
Thanks Kerry🙂
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June 12, 2018 at 1:15 pm
And when we learn to read without words, I guess then we deeply understand everything.
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June 12, 2018 at 5:43 pm
Exactly!
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June 12, 2018 at 1:58 pm
…then there is the look in their eyes, or their touch on your skin, or the murmur of satisfaction of being with you. Not that I know anything about it!
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June 12, 2018 at 5:49 pm
An expert speaks!
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June 12, 2018 at 6:23 pm
I especially love those closing lines, Vivian!
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June 12, 2018 at 9:01 pm
Thanks Sherry!
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June 12, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Reading is good,… understanding is better… love the sentiment (and so does the librarian)
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June 13, 2018 at 1:40 am
Thanks Björn!
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June 12, 2018 at 9:10 pm
I like this. Learning to read and…to understand people is a hard task. Excellent write.
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June 13, 2018 at 1:38 am
Thanks Toni!
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June 13, 2018 at 3:25 am
reading people is way more difficult, it’s true…
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June 13, 2018 at 5:12 am
kaykuala
I’ve learnt to read the clenching of jaw
where words play no part
Yes, Vivian, emotions and body language can be most terrifying but difficult to understand if subtly done!
Hank
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June 13, 2018 at 1:04 pm
A beautiful write!!
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June 15, 2018 at 10:36 am
Thanks, Annell!
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June 13, 2018 at 10:31 pm
From title, photo to closing line…this is brilliant Vivian!!
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June 15, 2018 at 1:40 am
Thanks, Carrie!
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June 13, 2018 at 10:43 pm
This is wonderful writing!
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June 15, 2018 at 1:40 am
Thanks Jo!
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