Harbinger of Tears

(Stoker of fears)

I always dreaded those times

When the silence struck my ears

The screaming was bad enough

But the silence stoked my fears

As it was almost always

The harbinger of more tears

Jim Lonsdale Poetry 2025

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Hi Jim,

This hits home...I can cry watching a movie or TV show, but in real life, I just can't....I am screaming inside, like when my parents both died and when my best friend Paula died in a fire or my friend Jeff died a couple months ago...but the tears reign themselves in...and the silence was and is so loud I can't hear it.
Wow, on this poem...I felt almost as if I wrote it.
j.

[Desert Knave]

Thanks so much. When it got quiet at home I got a little worried. ~Jim

[redd Brick Keshner]

Sometimes silence soothes but prolonged silence is always oppressive. Very relatable, Jim.
🙏🏻🕊

[Desert Knave]

Thank you !!! Yes, silence can be very oppressive. ~Jim

[redd Brick Keshner]

You’re welcome Jim 🙏🏻🕊
-Freds.

[Chris Shaw]

The silences can eat you away inside. The lack of communication can become a killer, which allows the mind to run riot. Felt this one.

Chris

[Desert Knave]

Thank you so much. Yes, the mind does run riot. ~Jim

[MCS]

Brilliant piece of writing, dear poet. These words hit me like a ton of bricks; I can’t cry, so I'm seen as cold and heartless if only they knew what the insides looked like.

[Desert Knave]

Thank you ! Silence was always the enemy in our home. ~Jim

[Dylan Macadham]

Still, Silence, as in the dread of the unknown, the calm between imminent storms.
...this is how I read your powerful piece :)

[Desert Knave]

Thank you so much ! Yes, the dread really is the worst part. ~Jim