As part of the writing event which I have referred to in earlier posts, we were invited by the leader, Kenneth Steven, the Scottish writer and poet to go to a place of our choosing on the Island of Iona (which at the time was out-of-season, delightfully quiet) and just listen: then to capture our experience of the sounds we heard in words. My mind went off at a bit of tangent as I realised the words we customarily use to describe some sounds don’t quite resonate with my particular and possibly slightly peculiar, hearing. That led to the following bit of fun in verse, posed as a challenge to those who like to play - with words!
Can you, reader, connect with my challenge
to weave new words that simulate sounds,
that explore what your sharp ears might scavenge
and express it in ways freshly found.
So that someone who hears the same shwhisper
or clonging or stribulant shout,
will say ‘Yes! That’s a word that is crisper
in describing what that sound’s about!’
Like the hoarse greck of geese as they’re flowing
or the crustle of wind on dry leaves;
a brumble of tyres as they’re slowing
on slithery mud, round some trees.
Let invention of words have a jubilant end,
as you capture the sounds that excite you, my friend.
