Thursday, June 20, 2019

Troiku Challenge 2019: Day 15: Nightingale


to listen,
fine not to listen, fine too...
nightingale

to listen
is there anything to hear
even in silence

fine not to listen, fine too...
sometimes withdrawal is best
turning inside now

nightingale
sings not for an audience
only for herself

~Cie & Chiyo-Ni~


Notes:
The sleigh of this sedate Troiku was created by Chiyo-Ni (1703 - 1775). The three surprisingly sedate Horses of the Apocalypse were led here by me.
Chiyo-Ni and the nightingale who is the subject of her poem remind me of a lesson which has been difficult for me to internalize.
Seeking approval from others is always unwise.

2 comments:

  1. It's hard to be immune from the opinions of others and not crave validation.

    I like the way you make the song of the bird seem quiet or like when you sing for yourself in the shower.

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    Replies
    1. I think the hunger for validation tends to be even greater in people who were criticized a lot and rarely received validation as children. We seek it elsewhere, sometimes from other people, sometimes in self-medication through substances, food, or behaviors like shopping or gambling.
      Constantly criticizing a child leads to that child growing into an adult who constantly second-guesses themselves.

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