Did It Really Ring?

My dictionary said that toll was usually mournful, but it left it open to being other than that. Then there's the tree falling but no one hears it; did it actually fall?

the bell tolls

but gladly

in the forest

somewhat sadly

no one hears

Reviews

[Roland Petrov]

Thank you, Richard, for another challenge, the gogyohka: five lines of phrases or short sentences. My muse was this photo that I took in a forest on Whidbey Island some years ago. To me, this seemed like a happy bell, but no one was around, and I didn't hear it ring. Now with the pandemic, toll had a sinister meaning again, but if no one is there to hear it, did it actually sound?

[Richard🖌]

Good stuff, Roland 👍

You've always accepted any challenge and succeeded grandly … this time with an excellent Japanese Gogyohka.
Especially interesting, I enjoyed how you hit both ends of the spectrum: the bell "tolls gladly" and is "unheard sadly".

Love the picture and your title, too.
So glad you're back, My Friend! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Roland Petrov]

To be reviewed by you, Richard, is always an honor. I'm working on the triangle, but.....

[Richard🖌]

"but....." LOL!

Roland, I am more than certain you'll create a perfect Nabla Del, with your own unique touch displayed … as all of your poetry proudly is. : )

[Roland Petrov]

It's done and posted, Richard. I followed the rules, but I fear that's all I did. Is it even a poem?

[AJNJ]

I dread tolling bells nowadays. In my neighbourhood they mostly chime for death with the pandemic doing its horrifying things. You said a lot in a few words.

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks, Pestonjee. Bells don't toll in my neighborhood, but I see the statistics, and I'm glad the bells don't toll. This poem references a better time, but it strikes a chord now. Thanks for your kind words.

[AJNJ]

It was my pleasure :)

[barleygirl]

This poem reminds me of my journey living in the wilderness these past 10 years, hardly ever seeing other humans & being housebound, so I don't go anywhere. This experience taught me how to be everything I want to be, even if nobody's looking. Being too concerned with outside approval/acceptance/praise can be a detriment to writing from one's wild creative place. Great poem. I usually don't like short poems, but this one conjures up a ton, which is the whole secret to writing short poems (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

The tolling of bells always sounds mournful to me, but not necessarily so. I can understand how this can jarr on the nerves. The isolation in the forest offers peace from everything. Offers solitude from any chaos. Sometimes we want to block everything out, church bells included. Thank you Roland for the lesson on a form I have not attempted.

Chris

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks, Christine. I've always enjoyed the sound of bells, thus somewhat sad that no one heard it ring in the forest.

[Lorry]

Now living in the countryside surrounded by trees, this brings to mind where I used to live, in a town where the town clock chimed every 15 minutes. Drove me mad, but within a month barely heard it anymore... Until I returned and it was like having tinnitus pnce more.
I'm going to think of trees falling next time I hear it 😀

[Roland Petrov]

This is a really good point: sounds might not be heard because you tune them out. Do they still exist? Only to the newcomer!

[Beano]

This chimed with me dear, Roland! You've packed a lot into five lines! I'll have to try give the gogyohka a go.

Jamie X

[Roland Petrov]

I'll be looking for it, Jamie.

[Ana Papaya]

I suppose nowadays it's a good thing to not hear those bells. In the woods far and away might be the best place.

[Roland Petrov]

Yes, Ana; imagine bells ringing everywhere for every pandemic death. What a cacophony of horror!