The Violin Wept

Bella Shepard



I listened as the violin wept

Slowly, mournfully it went on

Each note lingering with loss, pain, suffering

I listened as the violin wept

And as I listened I too wept

I joined a flood of tears felt round the world

For what could not be understood

Nor ever would be

Its’ plaintiff notes climbed higher

”Why do you still do nothing”

Its’ low notes sighed

For it knew the truth

I listened as the violin wept

And when it was finished

And placed in its case

It was once again silent

As are we

  • Author: Bella Shepard (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: January 8th, 2023 10:36
  • Comment from author about the poem: On this winter morning, as I stood washing dishes and listening to radio news, I heard the woes of humanity come pouring out. So I listened to the violin.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 38
  • Users favorite of this poem: Fay Slimm., L. B. Mek, Rocky Lagou, Doggerel Dave, Teddy.15.
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Comments10

  • orchidee

    And the 'news' does not make it any better. We can be totally confused sometimes - are some things really as bad as reported? Re: that terrible weather you were forecast to have, for example.

    • Bella Shepard

      Thank you dear friend, it does seem that we are on an ever rotating wheel. I go back to what Einstein is reported to have said "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result". I do think the inmates are in charge of the asylum, and here they are in Washington by all accounts.

      • orchidee

        Well, some newspapers here in UK say the Government is run by people they name Bozo (but he is not the PM now), Coco, Thicko, etc. Doh! All clown names, you see. And one named 'The man with no brain'!

      • 1 more comment

      • Fay Slimm.

        The power of your words flooded my heart too as the violin brought with its minor key all the woes and the sadness humanity is challenged with in these very difficult days - -my tears fall so many times yet things still stay the same - - such an apt choice of violin music too.

        • Bella Shepard

          Hope is always there that one day we will smile as joyful music fills our ears. Thank you Fay, your words are always dear to me, you possess the understanding heart and soul that it is so easy to share with.

          • Bella Shepard

            Your fav is greatly appreciated.

          • arqios

            For this reason I am rarely found supping on broadcast news 📰.

            • Bella Shepard

              It is a meal difficult to digest. Thank you for reading and commenting my friend.

            • Goldfinch60

              I have seen the film and listened to the music and played the theme on clarinet, it is a wonderful piece of music that means so much and always brings tears. Wonderful words Bella

              • Bella Shepard

                Thank you dear friend, it always brings tears but I can't help listening to sweetness of the violin.

              • Neville


                much like your good self it seems, I rarely listen to the news these days without involuntarily wincing .. I also much prefer the language of the violin .. I am glad you posted these words Bella, it helps when one is made aware that they are not the only one tuned into that particular station ... Neville

                • Bella Shepard

                  Thank you dear Nev for your kindest words. Even though the news these days is rarely good, I'm part of humanity and I need to know what is happening to my brothers and sisters on this earth, even if I can only cry for them. If we lose the ability to feel for them, I fear we lose the ability to care.

                • L. B. Mek

                  Brilliant!

                  • Bella Shepard

                    God bless dear friend, you encourage me so much and I value all that you give to me each time you comment. Your fav is greatly appreciated.

                  • Rocky Lagou

                    Wow, this is truly a work of art dear Bella.
                    Your words never fail to deliver such a heartfelt message, and this one was so sobering.
                    I loved the violin metaphor, and then again, am unable to seperate the metaphor from the deeper meaning. It's so wonderfully tied together.
                    I feel like the usage of the word "plaintiff" is very direct and free from ambiguity.
                    While the word "case" is a double entendre being the literal case of the violin, and also the "case" as in the court case.
                    Kudos to you beloved poet, such a real reflection.

                    • Bella Shepard

                      Dear Rocky it is so good to hear your voice! I am deeply moved by your comment, and can't thank you enough for always seeing with your heart and soul. Your fav is truly appreciated!

                    • sorenbarrett

                      I used to play the violin and I love the minor key but maybe this is because the violine is weeping for me. Silence is the consent by omission and the worst way of condoning. Well done Bella

                      • Bella Shepard

                        Dear friend, your words are so touching. Just this morning in the car I listened to Cavalleria Rusticana, and the sweetness of that violin made grocery shopping all the more enjoyable. Thank you for sharing these wonderful thoughts. I think that the violin still loves you, as you love it.

                      • Doggerel Dave

                        What a subtle way of providing an angry (sad?) political message, Bella. wish I could do that sometimes instead of my full frontal clod hopping way...but are people listening to the message or the violin? I hope both....

                        • Bella Shepard

                          Thank you dear friend for sharing this feeling with me. We all find our voices in different ways, and people will always hear what they want to hear, but the hope is that the voices that can truly change things will get through. Thank you for always being there with words that speak of how much you care. Thank you for the fav.

                        • Teddy.15

                          Dear Bella, ❤️ I'm thrilled to have found this gem, wow this is profound poetry you have captured the emotions that the violin can bring, mesmerising us. Your last lines quite breathtaking because you end it so perfectly.

                          • Bella Shepard

                            Thank you dearest Teddy, it's always a privilege to have you read and comment on my lines. To have such friends is truly a blessing. God bless!



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