Synaethesia was the first of my poems to be published. It was written in Charleston, South Carolina, where the wildlife and scenery are breathtaking. This natural beauty can overload the senses. People with synaesthesia experience a union of the senses, such as smelling color or tasting words. It seemed a perfect device to express my time in such a beautiful place.
First, the full poem:
Synaesthesia
Hear the horizon break into a flock of Ibis
Over a sea smelling of rain and midnight
The moon is all I want to drink
I hunger for the taste of coral skies
and the scent of purple in my throat
Feel the silver of a years-away star
caressing my cheek my neck as a tear
Gone are the fears
the moments of doubt
yielding in bliss to the creator state
Manifesting truths where magic once sang
Forests of recorded thought nurture words unplayed
The nature of time changes with these notes
and unknown colors light a new heart.
An explanation of the symbols and senses in the poem:
Hear the horizon break into a flock of Ibis
Over a sea smelling of rain and midnight
A flock of ibis appeared one evening, a silent troupe of 200 birds that materialized without warning, as if the ocean released them.
The moon is all I want to drink
I hunger for the taste of coral skies
and the scent of purple in my throat
The tropical storms on the southeast coast make for surreal cloudscapes at sunset and sunrise. Some of these visions are so gorgeous, you need more than just visual descriptions to write about them. This is where a crossover of the senses comes in handy.
Feel the silver of a years-away star
caressing my cheek my neck as a tear
Gone are the fears
the moments of doubt
yielding in bliss to the creator state
The silver tear of starlight is the courage and blessing of the universe. It may seem so vast at times, but it subtly reminds of its connection to us by manifesting on our cheek. This enables us to reject fear and doubt, and create openly and honestly.
Manifesting truths where magic once sang
As our new age actions gain acceptance and momentum, they turn from mystical speculations into recognizable truths.
Forests of recorded thought nurture words unplayed
A forest of writing paper grows a garden of thoughts and ideas. ”Unplayed” is the “notes” yet unheard, another crossover of senses. Or maybe your own forest of sheet music?
The nature of time changes with these notes
The times are indeed changing. The “notes” are our thoughts which assist the evolution of art.
And unknown colors light a new heart.
Imagine new colors being revealed, and new possibilities. Our spirit shines with these changes and reveals a new connection to the universe. Synaesthesia evolves from just the senses into a blending of senses, emotion, time, and spirit.
