Thrum from Thrum by Sheila Nicholls & Dave Stringer

Thrum

where am I from
and what is my name?
an intricate story to tell
in myriad forms
the one is the same
water, the same well.

where is the drum
that strikes up the beat
of all of this music and noise?
the sigh and the hum
that my heart repeats
in all of its sorrows and joys?

the hiss and the scream
in a whistle of steam
a tidal chorus swells
imprinted in me
like the sound of the sea in a shell
listen! it springs
with a rustle of wings
as a hush falls on a crowd
I hear it whispering so loud
as I’m breathing in

the murmuring strum
of the wind in the trees
the chimes that mark the days
the throb and thrum
and cacophony
as every atom plays

the hammer is swung
with bellowing lungs
the primal forges yell
‘til the anthem is sung
in the tremolo tongue of a bell
listen! it rings
in the tension of strings
in magnetic dust it drones
in my heart and guts and bones
resounding and shimmering

there is the source
of the psalm that I sing
of all of my pleasures and cares
the intimate pulse
that drives everything
always, everywhere

© dave stringer

• Alternative
• Wordsmith
• acoustic pop
• folk rock
• political
• singer-songwriter
• Los Angeles