The Sound of Silence

Doryn Herbst

When a tree keels over in a clearing
deeper in the forest than you have
ever been but there are no ears to hear,

the thud when bough hits ground
does not come into existence,
then sound waves will not beat on
ear drums but go their own way
in silence.

No birds squawk or sing
as the Earth trembles.
Pieces of bark and moss flake off,
stones scatter and a flower dies
under the weight that comes down.

The Science

When movement causes nearby particles in the air to vibrate (which can also occur in liquids and solids), the vibrations will cause further particles to vibrate. This propagation is the sound wave. If sound waves reach ear drums they will be transmitted via a series of bones to hair cells. These in turn translate the vibrations into electrical signals which are sent along the cochlear nerve to the brain, which transforms them into what is perceived as sound. The more rapid the vibrations, the higher the pitch of the sound that is heard.

The Poet

Originally from Surrey (UK), Doryn now lives in Germany where she is a Deputy Councillor on the local council. For the past three years she has been developing her prose and poetry. Doryn has a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Freshwater Biology. Before moving to Germany, she worked for the National Rivers Authority in Cardiff before it was incorporated into Natural Resources Wales. Doryn is interested in the communication of science through art and as a young mother, Doryn led an environmental group for primary school children where among other things the children put on two plays.