Happy Listening

I often use prompts in writing class involving the use of all our senses. We tend to be so wrapped up in what we see, hence what our characters see, that we forget about describing other sense impressions in our writing. It's the same in our lives. At least I remember mostly what I've seen with my eyes, and the other sense impressions kind of go by the wayside.

But this summer, I've been really noticing the amazing sounds I'm surrounded by. Syrupy, trilling bird sounds that waft into my window at first light, then accompany me throughout the day. In our walks, often through meadows, I'm immersed in the swoop-swoop-swoops, the chipperree-ree-rees of the birds, the whirs and buzzes of the cicadas, the hum of all the many bees lazing around the Black-eyed Susans and Cow Vetch and Queen Anne's Lace now. It's like a new country, paying attention to all the sounds.

Then there are the man-made sounds of summer, the Taiko drummers, the polka bands, the crooners in the parks that have freebie concerts. And what would summer be without thunder?

So, this weekend, pay attention to sound. Go to a freebie concert, take a meadow walk for birdsong, go to the park and listen to the kids screeching like gulls, their feet pounding the packed dirt of playgrounds. Then write it. Draw the thunder, if you dare.