avatarCaroline de Braganza

Summary

The web content reflects on the absence of nature's sounds, particularly the silence of crickets and birds, and contemplates the impact of this void on human well-being due to environmental destruction.

Abstract

The article "When Silence Fails to Soothe" is a contemplative piece that uses haiku to convey the author's experience of waking up to a noticeable absence of natural sounds, such as the chirping of crickets and the singing of birds. The author describes a personal account of lying in bed, initially comforted by the sounds of nature, only to be struck by the emptiness when these sounds are missing. The haikus poignantly capture the solitude of barren summer nights and the weariness of days devoid of nature's chorus. The backstory reveals the author's early morning routine of enjoying nature's symphony, which is disrupted by the silence that follows. This silence prompts the author to ponder the interconnectedness of human well-being with the natural world, and the potential consequences of environmental destruction that could lead to a permanent void of nature's sounds. The article concludes with a message of gratitude to the reader and a suggestion of other poems to explore on the platform.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep appreciation for the sounds of nature, particularly the songs of crickets and birds, viewing them as an essential part of the human experience.
  • There is a concern that the destruction of the environment could lead to a loss of these natural sounds, which would have a detrimental effect on human well-being.
  • The author suggests that our connection to nature is intrinsic to our sense of peace and fulfillment, emphasizing the importance of preserving the natural world.
  • The use of haiku serves as a meditation on the beauty and importance of nature's presence in our daily lives, as well as a warning about the consequences of its absence.
  • The article implies that silence, in the context of missing natural sounds, is not soothing but rather a cause for concern and reflection on our relationship with the environment.

Self

When Silence Fails to Soothe

Haiku contemplation

White-bellied Sunbird, North West Province, South Africa (Source: wikimedia commons)

Barren summer nights Without the song of crickets How empty the night

Weary now the days Absent the dulcet chorus Will the birds return?

Backstory

I awoke at 0400.

Unable to fall asleep again, I lay in bed savoring the sound of the male crickets chirping across the valley.

An hour later, a white-bellied sunbird heralded the new day with its distinctive ‘chu-ee, chu-ee, chu-ee-trrrr’ as the sun rose. Soon other species joined the chorus, and I reveled in nature’s music.

Meanwhile, the male crickets continued rubbing their leathery front wings together, in search of a female date! As they abandoned their quest, the avian orchestra filled the gaps in the airwaves left by their departure.

Our well-being is woven into our connection with nature. This free concert got me wondering how humans would cope with the void of nature’s silence were we to continue destroying our environment.

Thank you for being here.

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