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Sound of Silence

November 26, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 13 Comments

hello darkness my old friend
I’ve come to talk to you again

People talk too much. Uncomfortable with silence, they fill every quiet moment with noise. Television or iTunes. Incessant chatter.

I love the richness of silence. Silence has its own dimension, allowing the brain to create new thoughts, solve problems, remember. 
Watching game after game of football Thanksgiving weekend, the unceasing narration began to irritate. A stream of yammering, often nonsensical filler, by grown men who love to hear themselves talk.  Do they get paid by the syllable? Predictions and play-by-play commentary. Heisman watch. Coulda woulda shoulda... 

people talking without speaking 
people hearing without listening
I love football, but would like to mute the sound yet still hear the Baylor Fight song played by the band after each touchdown. 
Today my house is calm. I write. The only sound is the simmer of purple hull peas on the stove and the occasional jingle of the dogs’ collars. Birds chirp outside my window.

The sound is deafening.

talya

Musical Pairing

Sound of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel



Filed Under: Life, Writing Tagged With: Dogs, Fayetteville, silence

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    November 26, 2012 at 7:26 am

    I love silence too. That is the first thing I notice when I go back to the farm – I hear birds and I hear crickets. (Some are in the house!)

    I actually muted some of the football games this past weekend. I KNOW FOOTBALL, they don’t have to tell me “every-itsy-bitsy-play-by-play”. You are right; they just like to hear themselves talk. Barbara

    Reply
  2. Jenny says

    November 26, 2012 at 7:32 am

    With a four year old around, I definitely appreciate the sounds of silence much more than I used to!

    Reply
  3. Kaa says

    November 26, 2012 at 7:56 am

    I have a friend who, when he visits, seems to fill the house with not only his presence, but the sound of his presence. When he leaves, we generally sit around for a while enjoying the noiselessness. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  4. Colene says

    November 26, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Tom usually mutes the television when he is watching sports or during a commercial. That suits me just fine! Our granddaughter told him that was very annoying! Ha Muting that is! Sometimes I need a mute button for Tom. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 26, 2012 at 11:01 am

      ha poor Tom.

      Reply
  5. TimH says

    November 26, 2012 at 11:00 am

    I’m definitely feeling you on this one, T! After a great Thanksgiving and weekend of family get-togetherness, it is finally good to listen to the quietness.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    November 26, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    It’s biblical, we sposed to listen, like the burning bush, etc. etc. always hear something good when we do! Another awesome one!

    Reply
  7. Dorothy Latimer Johnson says

    November 27, 2012 at 4:22 am

    Totally agree! I love the quiet mornings when I’m home alone reading something good for the soul and doing some writing. Too much noise everywhere, in stores, restaurants and yes, even at home. I wonder if it’s a substitute for thinking, feeling and getting in touch with the person we are becoming. If I sing along with that loud song, I don’t have to think about what I haven’t done that I should have or what I did that shocks even me. Sorta like, if I don’t acknowledge it, it’s not true.

    Reply
  8. Kip says

    November 27, 2012 at 4:25 am

    Agree and dito with the political talking heads. I think I’d rather listen to fingernails on a blackboard. Nice blog.

    Reply
  9. pittypatter says

    November 27, 2012 at 8:01 am

    I live in silence–except when I talk to myself or the cats–or get a phone call. Or occasionally go out to eat with friends. Those who say they run the radio or TV for background noise baffle me. Great blog. I love this song and this duo.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 27, 2012 at 8:07 am

      That’s why you are such an amazing poet.

      Reply
  10. Stone Cottage Adventures says

    November 27, 2012 at 6:22 pm

    What a lovely post. -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    January 22, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    I love the silence as well. I wonder if it is because we were raised in the country and the blood of Mississippi County, Arkansas runs deep for those of us that spent our childhood there…. I need silence from time to time to reboot myself…and during that time…there is no sweeter sound. Take care, Timmie Lynn

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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