“O nly mouths are we. Who sings the distant heart which safely exists in the center of all things?” “Wha… what the hell was that?” I wake, staring into the darkness, when again comes, slightly garbled, “only mouths are we. Who sings the distant heart which safely exists in the center of all things?”
Turning the lights on I see a fiend of mine, who’s been sitting in the dark, mumbling. “Dante, what the hell’re you saying” I question, staring quizzically at him. Again he says, “only mouths are we. Who sings the distant heart which safely exists in the center of all things? I read it in a book. What do you think it means?”
“I don’t have the first damned clue what that means, or who that might be,” I reply, dumbfounded. “Hold on!” I exclaim, “Got an idea! Maybe it’s — Tom Waits!?”
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: dVerse
Well you know I love Tom Waits! This is gorgeously done, Rob 🙂 I love the atmosphere you create ..with the waking and the staring into the darkness. This is definitely a question that every culture, every generation likes to debate upon.. and ofcourse it makes sense to ask about the intricacies around which the universe revolves!
Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 😀
You are welcome Sanaa, thank you for hosting. Waits touches on the depths of life.
Funny. It made me smile. 🙂
I’m pleased Susan… 🙂
The song completed your prosery and gave it depth and dimension. Spoke a lot to me.
I am glad Mary! 🙂
It’s always good to get into a Tom Waits state of mind. He’s a gem.
He is brilliant Lisa, once you’ve picked up on his vibe — you are hooked for life. He is a modern poet and troubadour!
???? Rob ????
David 🙂
Nice response Rob! That repetition is really effective, and the ending was funny 🙂
Ghank you Ingrid! 🙂
Well done, Rob! Loved the story and message. 😀
Thank you Susan!
I love Tom Waits. This is fantastic Rob!
Thank you Linda… 🙂
Nice to see you participating in this tricky prompt. You solved it with a spoonful of levity; I love Tom Waits as well. By the by, lovely typo…”fiend” for “friend”, or maybe it wasn’t?
Thank you bro. Exactly as I typed it is how I meant it. My fiend Dante, conversing in the dark, about all things reldvant to existence — realizing we know nothing.
Perfect blend of music and prose!!
Thank you Helen… 🙂
Well having read Corey’s story I think you had similar thoughts…
Maybe he and I are both wrong… maybe it’s Joni? 😉
The song is a clever way to complement and enhance the words of the prompt, Rob!
Hank
Thank you Hank! I felt they danced well together… 🙂
A story with a message and a smile at the same time – lovely use of the prompt.
Thank you Marion… 🙂
This is was so much fun, Rob! I love the conversing with Dante the fiend–and Waits!
I can only take him in small doses, but there was a short-lived show called Bunheads with Sutton Foster, and they did a magical dance to a Tom Waits’ song.
Thank you Merril. Tom Waits to me is brilliant, and I don’t want him everyday, but the days I do — he is all I want. His mind is an adult dark wonderland, and perfectly biting and cutting, leaving wounds that make you think, but scar over easily — so you remember in the future.