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5:17:00 PM EST
Feeling Quiet
Hearing Tori Amos "Enjoy The Silence"
Judith Heartsong's Artsy Essay Contest
It's been quite awhile since I last entered one of Judith Heartsong's Artsy Essay Contest....Life had it's own agenda and left me unwilling to put any form of writing on a judging platform. When I checked out the topic for this month's entry "An Ode To Your Favorite Gadget", admittedly I wasn't so sure this month's topic would incite me to give it another go. I'm not the type of person to put any personal insight or draw inspiration from a single object.....
But then I realized one item would fit the bill quite nicely. Before I begin my entry there is still time to enter. Simply go to Artsy Essay Contest for the rules.
It was such a delicate object; within it held the possibility of opening doors to a world I would otherwise never have known. My 5 year old childish wonder beheld the small box in the palm of my hand, delicately turning it one way, then another to glimpse it's simple construct. The adults around me continued to confer and whisper instructions as to how to make this box work. With a simple hesitant push of a lever and a delicate turn of a dial, to my child's delight the world rushed in to greet me.
It was there with me the first time I beheld the ocean in all it's glory. The echoes of the saltwater sucking itself out as if a giant were inhaling huge gust of air, only to explode with thunderous intensity to crash against the shore once again. I pondered the amazing clarity with which I heard the sea gulls call out, as they swooped and dived. Tears slowly slid down my face, for even I knew the enormity of the gift given me, from such a simple object.
As I grew older this object would change shape and form a few dozen times, each time giving way to technological advances. It became invisible, hidden away but always within reach to push a lever and delicately turn a dial. It was the first thing I would reach for in the morning to let the world rush in. It wasn't just an object it had grown to be a vital part of me. Without it I wouldn't have learned the eloquent art of speech, or ever known the exquisite melody of a note of music.
The screams of a newborn child drift to me through this object on the birth of my daughter. Sounds forever recorded across my heart and memories. Her first words are carried clear and jubilant , her laughter rings like delicate chimes to my ears. With this object I'm able to enjoy the first strands of a violins melody, played on a joyous first rehearsal......
Over the years my dearest friend, the object that was so much a part of my life, slowly starts to fade. In all those years in all it's various forms, it was chewed on by a dog, shorted out in the shower, flushed down a toilet and stomped by an irate boyfriend. This object was with me for the entire span of 33 years. Almost my entire lifetime......until the day it could no longer let the world rush in. Don't dismay my gentle readers for it will soon be a gift donated for another.
Soon there will be a child, woman, man whomever needs it most who will place this object behind their ear and have the world rush in....and be given the gift of hearing. After 33 years of attachment I had to say goodbye; for I lost the last of my hearing and the object...my hearing aide could no longer aide me on my journey. Could I say without a doubt this was my favorite gadget? (A hint of a smile) I had a love-hate relationship with it. I despised needing it, yet at the same time revered in the possibilities it gifted me with sound. What do you think? Does it deem worthy of an Ode?
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It's 5.23 am and your words sing to me like a lullaby. Now I want to sleep again ;-)
Gaz xxx -
Congratulations on your win. This was such a beautiful essay. I'd say these judges really know what they are doing! Kudos!
Sam -
You Won, YOU WON!! And what a deserving entry it is!!
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ah, thanks so much for sharing! congrats, kudos, debra
2/7/08 3:08 PM
Well done.
Many congrtulations to you.
With much love
Jeanie xxxxx