The Sounds of Silence
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 6:00AM (Dear 'Rati Friends,
My husband, Bruce, died yesterday morning, slipping away peacefully in my arms. How can a heart be so full and so shattered at the same time? My words run dry. I had written the following blog post several days ago, unaware that I would have no time to do it today. And unaware that "the other shoe" I was referencing was already dropping. And that my husband's voice is the sound that isn't there. Give yourselves a hug today, and send one my way, as well.)
By Louise Ure
Our days are usually filled with sound. Voices, traffic, music, TV, individual ringtones, jackhammers, birds, pots and pans clanging, a dog’s whine. It’s a cacophony that we’ve become used to, an ordered and expected series of sounds that define our day.
Some sounds are more sudden but less common—squealing brakes, a crash of thunder, a child’s cry-- but recognizable enough as part of our world.
In my last blog post I used the phrase “waiting for the other shoe to drop” and it’s that thought—the absence of expected sound--that I was thinking about this week, and how that applies to both lives and our writing.
The term seems to have originated in the mid-20th century, descriptive of a man in a downstairs apartment who is awakened nightly by his upstairs neighbor removing his shoes and dropping them heavily on the floor. The first shoe hits the floor with a loud bang, awakening the sleeping tenant in the lower apartment, who would remain awake until he heard the other shoe drop. In the story my head, (British television? Mid-century American radio?) the upstairs tenant once remembered that he had a sleeping neighbor below, and after dropping the first shoe, took the second shoe off and carefully placed it on the floor, making no noise. The groggy neighbor would then yell, "For God's sake, drop the other shoe!"
It is the absence of expected sound—the absence of an expected ritual—that gives the phrase such a frisson of power.
In literature, no one used it better than Conan Doyle in the story “Silver Blaze,” which hinged on the famed "curious incident of the dog in the night-time":
Scotland Yard Detective: "Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
Holmes: "To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."
Detective: "The dog did nothing in the night-time."
Holmes: "That was the curious incident."
The sound that wasn’t there.
I can imagine other actions and plot points that would tweak that tendon waiting for an expected outcome. A slap, but no sound of surprise or pain. What’s going on in there? Is the victim gagged? Is the victim used to such abuse? Or is it nothing more that the thumping swat of a buzzing fly?
A crash outside in the street, but no horns or sirens or voices raised in alarm. Are they dead inside the car? Is the town deserted? Or was it simply a parking brake that didn’t hold on the steep hill?
Like a bolt of lightening without a following peal of thunder, the absence of sound can be as intriguing as what is there. And that goes for dialogue, too. Like real life, what’s left unsaid is sometimes the most important language of all.
What about you ‘Rati out there? Who do you think does a good job of leaving things unsaid, like a shoe waiting to be dropped, in films or books?
Reader Comments (62)
My deepest condolances to you and your family at this time, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers as you have been. kit
Louise, once again, I am so, so sorry. I wish there were some magic wand I could wave to make all this go away. All my love, Dusty
You have my deepest sympathies. It will take great strength and courage for you to go on after this devastating blow. A dear friend of mine went through a similar crisis with the death of her husband to cancer and she has found help with a support group of women who also lost their husbands. Those of us close to her tried to help, but no one truly understands unless you've lived through it.
I'm so sorry, Louise. Sending a big hug your way.
Hi Louise, I am sorry for your loss. Sending a huge cyber hug your way.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Louise, I'm sorry for your loss. Prayers headed your way as well as a big ole cyber hug.
--Dru Ann
What an eloquent way to describe your loss, even before it was fully realized, Louise.
Your hug is on its way, and I hope it helps, even the tiniest bit, to know that a total stranger in Ohio is grieving along with you in your time of loss. Peace, my dear.
Oh Louise, I am so sorry for your loss. I truly believe those who pass are with us more than ever with greater love and understanding for us than they could ever fathom before and feel sorry that we are still stuck on this side. My love and prayers are yours.
Louise, I am so sorry for your loss.
hugs, and love, to you.
Terribly sorry for your loss, Louise. I hope you feel all of the hugs from loving strangers today, including me.
Martie
Louise,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your grief.
I don't know you in real life, Louise, but I send a big hug and all the compassion I have to you. I am so sorry.
A very big hug, Louise. Words can't express... anything right now. I'm so, so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts are with you.
I am so very sorry for your loss, Louise. I am another total stranger/reader who has only recently discovered this blog...but I am saddened by your loss. I hope the caring of family, friends...and even cyber-family & friends is some comfort to you in this unimaginable time.
I'm hugging you now, I'll be hugging you all day, I'll be hugging you tomorrow and the next day and the next. I won't let go, Louise.
Oh Louise, my heart breaks for you. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Sending you big hugs and lots of prayers.
Louise,
I am so sorry.
I know no hugs are big enough to touch this pain, not yet. But we'll all here, all will be here with arms open.
May the silence be gentle.
My darling Louise - the outpouring here is only a fraction of the love and prayers coming to you. We are all grieving with you. Love, J
Dear Louise,
May you find solace in many wonderful memories. A big cyberhug to you.
Rashda
When we lose someone we love, we lose a part of ourselves. Sending you a big hug, Louise. It's difficult for writers to accept, but there are times when words let us down. This is one of those times.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
What an incredible difference one single life has made.
I believe there is power in the collective thought process, so I join my warmest thoughts your way....close you eyes, can you feel them?.....
Yesterday morning, Louise, you were in the company of angels. Know that he is okay. Breathe in all the good thoughts and hugs being sent your way.
Sandy
Louise, I am so terribly sorry. All our thoughts are obviously with you.
Dearest Louise,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you during this sad time.
Love,
Twist
Louise, sweetie - I have no words, but a huge amount of love and support is winging its way to you straight from my heart.
You are so, so loved.
Oh, Louise, please accept my condolences for your terrible loss. I'm so sorry to hear about this, and I will be thinking about you and him in the days ahead.
Now I know why it rained yesterday and keeps on raining. I was so lucky to have met Bruce.
Do you have someone notifying friends of arrangements. Please add me to the list.
My dear Louise. The silence is deafening.
All my love. Judy
I'm so sorry to hear this. My deepest sympathies on your loss.
My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Dear Louise,
My deepest condolences. I was touched by how you generously shared the love you and your husband had for each other with all of us here--it was quite the love. May it be a comfort to you now.
~Ev
I am so very, very sorry, Louise. My thoughts, prayers and hugs are here for you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Even though we don't know each other personally, I have gotten to know you virtually through your posts. Sending a cyberhug your way. Praying your guardian angel wraps you in his comfort and love and gives you strength.
Louise,You've been in my thoughts. xoAlafair
So, so very sorry, Louise.
All our best thoughts, all our best wishes, love and serenity to you, Louise.
Louise, the only way I can deal with grief is to be useful. If I can be useful to you in any way, please allow me that privilege.
Adding to the collective love, standing with you in your sorrow, giving you strength, and hugs. much love.
All my love, Louise
Ah, Louise, Hugs, definitely and fiercely, and my willingness to do anything. Don't forget to breathe deeply. I'm serious - your body grieves, too. xx Susan
Oh, this sad news hurts my heart. I'm so sorry for your loss, Louise. Hugs and love from me as well.
Been thinking about you all day. hope you have some frozen lemons to throw when you have the energy. love love love
What a terrible loss. I grieve for you.
When the summer comes I will think of you and your husband with each popsicle. The thoughts will be of the love you shared.
You know you guys have been in my thoughts for a while. See you soon.
Simon
I have been so, so comforted by your words, my friends. Thank you.
I am so very, very sorry to hear of his passing, Louise. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Louise, you and Bruce will forever be in my prayers.
I got all choked up reading this post and I don't even know you.
I'm sending a million hugs to you all the way from Brazil (Brazilian hugs are one of the best in the world, didn't you know?)
:)
Louise, I am so sorry.
My sincerest condolences, Louise.
{{{{{{{Louise}}}}}}}