The Power of the spoken word

There were so many wonderful things going on in the Berkshires this holiday weekend. Too many for one person to do but choices for just about everyone. Starting off on the annual Independence Day 5k, I was one of 1100 to race down the Main Streets of Pittsfield. The streets lined with thousands of people waiting for the start of one of the largest 4th of July Parades in the country. There was more than enough encouragement to keep you from slowing down or the dreaded thought, walk for a bit. I made it across the finish line at a little slower than last year but still a decent finish.

Perhaps the most significant event I attended was the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, at Shakespeare and Company. Several hundred gathered on the sloping lawns in the sun and breezes for festive music and "introduction of the 70 or so signers and of the declaration and state delegates. The whoops came up as the states were announced, with the audience having a definite affinity to NY, NJ and Mass. and with a vocal contingent from Virginia.

Then to main event as one by one the delegates came up to the microphone to read a short section of the declaration. Sometimes a few words or a whole section, it flowed quickly in an even flow. Some readers were clearly actors from the Company and articulated and enunciated their parts with passion. Some were elected representatives, for whom this experience must have had some significance. Some were everyday people.

I have read this document but do admit that I have never taken as much from it as having it read out loud. As the familiar phrases range out there were cheers from the crowd and the final lines repeated a couple of times by all of us.

I have often thought that the spoken word is powerful, so much more to me than the written. Like a story unfolding, the voice of the speaker lifts the words off the written pages and they soar through the air and the feeling the reader conveys brings the meaning behind the words and a depth of thought.

Happy Independence Day