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Silence of the Whistles...

Masked by the noises in my ears
The little voices in my head
Are getting more difficult to hear
As I lie here in my bed

The ringing, buzzing, ticking sounds
Shrill trilling birds of craziness
Won't let me keep my T.V. down
My wife is shouting, "How 'bout less?"

Loss of tones, makes me weep
I cannot hear some voices now
Saying "What?" when voices steep
I Have some people saying, "Wow!"

But, this morning, I did awake
To a chorus of "Birdie" song
Sweet trills of notes, they do make
Make me want to sing along

Some days, the hours, they just fly by
I pass the hours listening
Folks still talk, don't ask me why
They can't hear my birds whistling

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
Last few words: 
I'm not sure if I got my message across. I suffer from tinnitus: ringing, clicking, whining noises that pervade my life, and mask some tones, making it difficult to hear some voices; [they sound garbled], high-pitched sounds like the alert on the stove or turn-signal in the car. In order to hear everything on TV or radio, it has to be louder than usual. Not deafening, but uncomfortable for some.
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

Mine comes from working in noisey environments without ear-protection in the days when the federal program of OSHA was a joke. They would send notice to a company a week or two ahead of time and the companies would rush around providing the required [gloves, aprons, eye and ear protections etc.] But a few days after the inspections, said gear would be unavailable, [but on order] until next inspection. I worked with many poisonous chemicals and endured dangerous conditions over the years. My tinnitus is just one of the symptoms I now bear. Anyway, glad that it resonates with some people and maybe it will help someone avoid an unsafe working environment. Glad that you are glad I am back. ~ Geez.
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author comment

the bosses always had protection! I am on Medicare and a supplemental insurance, so yes, I do have the means to take care of my health problems; and they are coming out with new ways to deal with tinnitus. However, as of yet, there are no cures. I thank you for your concern. I'm always ready to explain anything about any of my work. ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
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author comment

Dear Geez, I can certainly relate to your poem. Though not the same, I've had panic attacks for many years. I also have Fibromyalgia.
As usual, your poem is one of your best. The end rhymes and theme are perfect. It's certainly well spaced, so I have not nits.
Hope your problem gets better soon.
Best wishes and God bless, Gracy

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"My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies; fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly, my friends.” – Freddie Mercury

looked up Fibromyalgia and it is indeed, an insdious disease. I feel bad for you and can only wish for you, the same as you wish for me. That your health is as good as it can be. I am beginning to think that most of the poets that I know of are in some way; health compromised. It must be a prerequisite to being a poet. Take care and keep writing. ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
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author comment

a bit to try and make the beginning stanza work better, but don't think I succeded very well. I also deleted the [a'] from the whistling in the last line, but I don't think I like it better. Let's see how it works out. Some days are better than others, from what my Doctor told me, it is a bunch of different factors, but one of them being blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the more likely you are to hear it magnified. I usually awake coughing and trying to get the crap out of my lungs first thing, which definitely raises the old blood pressure! Hey, at least I still have blood pressure, huh? ~ Geez.
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There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment
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