Silence

A Poem by Erika

Too many times
I was silenced.
Too many times
The words I wanted to speak
Tumbled over each other,
Victimless gladiators,
Begging and scraping their knees
To be heard,
As I close my eyes,
Dwell into my own absence,
And push them back down.

Breathe in;
Hold;
Breathe out,
And the words were gone,
On the run,
As quickly as they arrived.

I never talk much
Funny,
Because I have lots of things
To say.

But may my voice
Reach you,
Deaf listener?
Or
Will only the sound
Of meaningless words
Running on tongues
And twirling in mouths
Make it to your sheltered ears?

Maybe
I don't talk much
Because I don't need to.
No sound
Comes out of my mouth
When I cry
A princess's golden tears.

My skin does not scream
When your frown
Will later hold
A rusty blade,
Scar it.
Tear it.
It won't wail.
It won't bail.

Some nights,
I stay up longer
Than the sun
And look at the moon.
It brightens
The darken sky
Like the night light
Mom bought
Back when I was wee
And still afraid
Of monsters.
If only she knew
I still look under my bed
Each night
Just in case.

The moon stares at me.
I do too.
Neither of us speak.
Silent in harmony,
Wordless sentences,
Unspoken pains,
Sinking
In lonely companies.
After all,
The monsters in my closet
Are asleep.
May they not wake up.

I get quieter
Everyday.
My voice is rusted,
My vocal chords dying,
With every mumble.
I don't speak
When I'm seething.
I devour the words
I silenced
With the hunger
I don't have
Anymore.

Let the tears pour
Down my cheeks
In a whispered apology,
A plea for diligence.

I don't talk
When speak.
I talk
Without words.
I talk
Through my eyes.
I cry
Through my laughs.
I scream
Through my smiles.

Maybe
I don't talk
Because
One day,
When my silence
Becomes
Eternal,
It is what
You'll remember me by.

© 2024 Erika

My Review

Would you like to review this Poem?
Login | Register

Reviews

Elnnes Scholtz

Erika, your poem "Silence" is a tender and moving reflection on the power of silence and the yearning to be heard. The imagery of “victimless gladiators” evokes such depth, capturing the struggle of unspoken words that long to break free. I love how you beautifully illustrate the quiet strength of your emotions, expressing so much through your eyes and tears. The gentle contrast between your silent struggles and the desire for connection is truly touching. Your final lines linger in my heart, reminding us of the profound beauty that can emerge from silence. Thank you for sharing such a lovely and heartfelt piece!

Warm Regards
Elnnes

Posted 1 Week Ago

1 Week Ago

Hi Elnnes, I really appreciate your review! Thank you so much!

Dave W.

Some people have ears to hear but aren't listening, talking to them you realize they haven't heard a single word you spoke. Then there are those you wish you could talk to but there is an ocean of distance between you, no matter how loud you scream nothing gets through, thank God for poetry to speak in rhyme and prose. i really like this, it made me think, thank you.