For the Poets and Storytellers United prompt #202 this week, the subject was ‘what I love about the dark’, which led me to investigate the Simon and Garfunkel song ‘The Sound of Silence’, as the first line ‘Hello, darkness, my old friend’ came to mind. My poem references the song, but also the annotations found at genius.com that analyse the meaning of the song. Overall, the poem highlights both the positive and negative aspects of the dark.

Here’s how my poem came together (which I feel like explaining today):

Stanza 1:

• Lines 1 and 2 reference this quote from Paul Simon:
  I used to go off in the bathroom because the bathroom had tiles, so it was a slight echo chamber. I’d turn on the faucet so that water would run — I like that sound, it’s very soothing to me — and I’d play. In the dark.
  Change carries a double meaning here.
• Line 3 references this annotation of the second part of the first verse of the song:
  These lines lead us to believe that Simon had an inspiring dream, the vision of which can be easily recalled when he seeks out the comfort within the darkness.
• Line 4 references the Kennedy assassination, which is thought to be part of the inspiration for the song.

Stanza 2:

• Lines 1-4 reference the lyrics and annotations for the second verse
  …the author has a dream about ten thousand people bowing to a god they made of neon light. The god represents the fake and shallow culture they are building on pop stars and the dollar bill. The author feels as if he is the only one who is not content with living in the fake, trivial culture that was stated.

Stanza 3:

• Line 1 references this annotation
  Silence refers to submission. He reveals how people so foolishly follow rulers without actually knowing a ruler’s true intentions and background.
• Line 2 references this annotation
  …the song’s theme about people’s isolation and failure to communicate with or understand each other. 
• Lines 3 and 4 continue this idea but try to show that the darkness is there for either ill or good, and it’s up to the individual how they choose to deal with it. Using it as a place to grow and learn, or to remain in ignorance.

Stanza 4

• Lines 1 -4 reference this annotation
  “Writing on the wall” is a biblical reference that refers to a prophecy of doom. Daniel 5:5 tells the story of an arrogant king of the Babylonians who worshipped gods of gold and silver. 
• Silver also references the subway cars from the lyric in verse 5
  And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls…”

The couplet

• These two lines are a rewrite of three lines in verse 4 of the song, and attempt to find a better way of managing the darkness
  “Hear my words that I might teach you
  Take my arms that I might reach you
  but my words, like silent raindrops, fell…”