My Djembe — first birthday present from my wife.
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
This is one of my other voices;
the salamander is silent, still.
I have a pit, a stone that calls
out to the rhythms of the dark.
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
My hands’ hearts beating cry
when music is playing near.
No music is needed for tattoo
the door, the desk, the floor.
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
Still it is my djembe that talks
of long ago in the darkness.
When my djembe to me calls
out of darkness of my funk.
Deee-jembe tok! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe-jembe!
Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe-jembe! Deee-jembe boum!
* * *
Jilly is hosting Meeting the Bar at dVerse Poets Pub. The literary device she points us toward tonight is repetition. Repetition, the music that words become in the hands of poet. For me it brings out the rhythmic aspect of poetry… and from there it’s an easy drive to my Djembe; no GPS required.
Yes, I have drums. Yes, my wife and my dog are okay with that. In fact, they both really enjoy it when I play… which isn’t often right now.
Life in Portofino 
I love djembes so really appreciate this poetic tribute to your djembe.
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Aw, thank you! I’ve been a drummer… although unschooled… for most of my life. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Your family is very understanding. I’d show you the door 🙂
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I’ve seen it already. 😛 It helps to be married to someone musical.
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We used to have outdoor concerts practically under our windows when we lived in town. I got to really hate those drums.
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Sorry.
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I believe that all music started with drumming, the beat, man, the beat. No matter how much brass or strings one fuses to a tune, it is the drumming that controls pace, sets the beat, schools the toe for tapping.
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Amen! You’re preaching to the… drummer.
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Nice line: “No music is needed for tattoo” I had not thought of music and tattoo together before.
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Thanks, Frank! Actually…
tat·too1
/taˈto͞o/Submit
noun
noun: tattoo; plural noun: tattoos
an evening drum or bugle signal recalling soldiers to their quarters.
an entertainment consisting of music, marching, and the performance of displays and exercises by military personnel.
a rhythmic tapping or drumming.
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Love this…we all need helper to draw us out of a funk or sometimes to beat it out of us…and I learned a new word.
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Thank you! My other drum is a Doumbek. Ceramic body and skin head.
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Great use of both repetition and sound devices! I really enjoy how your played ‘talk’ and ‘tok’ off of each other. This has a primitive voice; excellent!
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Thank you, Jilly! I get primitive when I’m around my drums. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Love this – what a rhythm.
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Thank you very much! I write them as I see… er, hear them! Glad you enjoyed it.
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You have quite the talent.
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Or the ghosts! Thank you.
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That is so cool! I really like “the salamander is silent, still.” sets up the anticipation for the voice of the drum. Ancient reptile brain. Even better with the photo and the note about the gift. Your poems are often powerfully rhythmic anyway, strong voice beats.
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Thank you, sir! Yes, the salamander is due for a voicing. Perhaps the wild side will visit soon.
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Love the repetition of those drumming sounds. Appreciate the photo and good for your family to understand.
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My wife’s a musician… my dog merely lacks opposeable thumbs and a sense of rhythm. We all get into it. Thank you for reading… and enjoying!
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Lovely chorus – saying it out loud – it’s irrepressible. Before the word (& the poem) there was the beat.
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Indeed. I’m glad you found it so!
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The whole purpose of drums is that repetition, the rhythm… an excellent topic for the prompt.
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Thank you, Björn!
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The rhythm and repetition work well together in this poem, Charley!
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Thank you!
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That’s a great take on the prompt Charley. I can see you, your wife and dog going all native. Even the neighbors dogs chiming in
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It’s a ball when it gets going! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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😂
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drums are hypnotic, youngest son is a drummer and i enjoy the rhythm he produces on the cajon. you are right music and poetry have a tempo
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Definitely. I’m glad you stopped by!
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I could hear you working that drum!!
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I almost considered a sound cloud. …but, nah! I’m glad you liked it.
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I could hear it anyway!! :>)
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Love the beating rhythm of this Charley. Perfect subject to use for repetition.
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Thank you!
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I was hoping you’d do audio but the repetition serves well! Reminds me of one of my sons who also drummed on everything: table, desk, floor. I’d already bought him a guitar and piano lessons so we never got the drums…
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I seriously considered it. I kinda freeze up when I’m recording. Hate the way my voice sounds. Glad you liked it, though!
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🙂
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Love the musicality and humor in this one, Charley! 🙂
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I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by.
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Pingback: Repetitive Forms – Meeting the Bar | dVerse
Aw, thank you!
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