The Sound of Silence
Losing my anonymity on this blog was similar to losing my virginity earlier on in life. It brought me pleasure but it couldn’t be undone. I’ve been blogging for 5 years. Under different circumstances I would’ve been writing a celebratory post, one that explores my impressions and experiences. I would’ve attempted, as I often do, to infuse it with my “questionable” sense of humor and anecdotal trivia while I would’ve sought to portray my self-celebrated joie de vivre to put a smile on the pretty faces of some of my readers. My jubilant mood would’ve been further enhanced by the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of Syria’s Independence from foreign occupiers, yesterday April 17th, but this is neither the place nor the time for a celebration. Not that I’ve given up on better days ahead and on fresh breezes to blow over the entire region but in acceding my anonymity I have in essence relinquished my present right to free speech.
This blog has touched on social and political issues before and on some serious matters for the solemn type of reader. However, my take on politics in particular was more like soft porn, an allusive phrase here, a slightly explicit sentence there but it always lacked penetration. I carefully picked my words, avoiding confrontation and possible retaliation. In real life I’m mostly like that to tell you the truth. When I don’t enjoy my surroundings I leave. If a conversation upsets me I stop listening. I’m too Syrian to engage in a gentlemanly debate with an adversary. We would both lose our temper and a true dialogue becomes impossible. On a few occasions I butted heads with fellow bloggers because of our divergent opinions on religion, social mores and traditions and their proper roles in our lives, if any. Had I been living in Iran or Saudi Arabia I would’ve probably not dared made my voice heard so loud and clear on those subjects. I was safe in the knowledge that I didn’t cross any red lines as far as my habitat is concerned.
Perhaps it’s worth noting that I hadn't put an effort into hiding my true identity in the same way that I didn’t work hard to become as “known” as I am. Writing is a pleasurable pursuit and I didn’t want to have to look back over my shoulder to keep enjoying it. Besides there’s an upside to revealing my identity to many of my readers. I’ve become best of friends with some of them and this friendship I cherish more than most things in life. I don’t feel like posting recipes for now so you would all excuse me for remaining silent. After all this is my only way, for the time being, to express myself. Fortunately, nothing lasts forever. I have no idea how long it will take but I can only hope that we can get out of this dark tunnel with minimum pain and loss for everyone.
May the voices of wisdom, of mercy, compassion, kinship, unity, accord and ultimately freedom prevail and guide us all to the future we aspire for.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence*
* The Sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkle), written by Paul Simon 1964.
This blog has touched on social and political issues before and on some serious matters for the solemn type of reader. However, my take on politics in particular was more like soft porn, an allusive phrase here, a slightly explicit sentence there but it always lacked penetration. I carefully picked my words, avoiding confrontation and possible retaliation. In real life I’m mostly like that to tell you the truth. When I don’t enjoy my surroundings I leave. If a conversation upsets me I stop listening. I’m too Syrian to engage in a gentlemanly debate with an adversary. We would both lose our temper and a true dialogue becomes impossible. On a few occasions I butted heads with fellow bloggers because of our divergent opinions on religion, social mores and traditions and their proper roles in our lives, if any. Had I been living in Iran or Saudi Arabia I would’ve probably not dared made my voice heard so loud and clear on those subjects. I was safe in the knowledge that I didn’t cross any red lines as far as my habitat is concerned.
Perhaps it’s worth noting that I hadn't put an effort into hiding my true identity in the same way that I didn’t work hard to become as “known” as I am. Writing is a pleasurable pursuit and I didn’t want to have to look back over my shoulder to keep enjoying it. Besides there’s an upside to revealing my identity to many of my readers. I’ve become best of friends with some of them and this friendship I cherish more than most things in life. I don’t feel like posting recipes for now so you would all excuse me for remaining silent. After all this is my only way, for the time being, to express myself. Fortunately, nothing lasts forever. I have no idea how long it will take but I can only hope that we can get out of this dark tunnel with minimum pain and loss for everyone.
May the voices of wisdom, of mercy, compassion, kinship, unity, accord and ultimately freedom prevail and guide us all to the future we aspire for.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
"Fools", said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls"
And whispered in the sounds of silence*
* The Sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkle), written by Paul Simon 1964.
Comments
w.b. yeats
I use to say that there are absences that are presences. Now I'd have to add that there are silences that are thundering voices.
Good to hear from you. I have been worried to distraction about friends and family back home. I am worried about my country but proud of its people. I hope for better days ahead.
Your friend, Rabi
May you all soon enjoy the future that you deserve.
Thank you dear friend. Like Miss Universe, I hope for World Peace :-) Unfortunately injustice and disrespect for basic human rights by individual states and the International community prevail.
May we live to see the day John Lennon sang about in "Imagine".
Haven't you noticed how you Latinas always agree with each other, in a most adorable way of course, lolll.
Silence, at times, is the sweetest music of all.
I'm glad though that the younger generations don't necessarily agree with me.
I see that you've developed a taste for Latinas (the first two comments).
Change is inevitable it's how the universe functions from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy. Anyone who believes in bringing time to a standstill is not only disillusioned but totally oblivious to the laws of physics and to human nature itself.
PS I don't blame you for the Latinas' thing.
You're always on my mind too. Please don't worry. This is inevitable you know. May all Syrians ride it in peace and come out in one piece :-)
I share your hope and optimism. This might take a while but we all look forward a new and better beginning cause the end is not an option.
Saludos desde Puerto Rico, una pequeña Isla pero con gran corazón. Mi amor por la poesía tal vez me hizo usar ese seudónimo... Al momento no recuerdo, pues pude igualmente usar a Neruda, o Gautier Benítez, pero ahí está.
@Abufares
World Peace is something worth wishing for!
w.b. yeats
i hope all will go well and be peaceful and well soon. take care.
Thank you for you heartfelt wishes and sorry for being a little late replying.
You too take care my friend and smile :-)
Be always the light house in the dark sea........
Thank you for your comment. It means a lot to me and I appreciate your support and words of encouragement.
Hopefully we'll be better off than we were before when all the dust settles down, when the blood of the innocent and the tears of the bereaved dry out.
Hopefully soon. I look forward to it.
A post is not behind me until you comment on it.
There's a silence by choice then there's a forced silence. But in either case, the silence of Syrians is becoming increasing loud.
Oh, I would've not felt so bad if I didn't know where my heart is.
I'm silent because (at the moment) I have no choice.
Like you, I chose to be silent. I took the easy way out. I feel like I'm cheating all of those who sacrificed their lives for us. This is what kept us in this situation for such a long time. For the first time in our beloved country some of us are doing the right thing, but without the support of the majority.
God give us the strength and courage to do and say what's right.
Thank you for your comment. My only answer is that I'm not anonymous. Am I convinced deep inside that it's enough of a pretext? I have mixed feelings toward that. Had I been alone, at least nothing would've made me stay if I couldn't change it.
:'(
Thank you as always for your kind and generous words.
Thank you for being here and for believing that my silence serves a purpose.
The next one is for you :-)
Hello my friend :-) Sorry for being late!