Silence stretches between us
As I lie beside you on the bed
Watching your breathing, slow and steady,
Wondering what is going on in your head
* * *
Silence stretches between us
Almost palpable in its hold
Each second longer than the last
As we ponder what we’ve been told
* * *
Silence stretches between us
Almost painful in its stillness
I wonder if you’re okay
Or if you’ve succumbed to your illness
* * *
Silence stretches between us
Begging to be broken
By some words of reassurance
Or thoughts left unspoken
* * *
The string of silence between us snaps
As I open my mouth to say,
“I love you, Mom, and I always will,
Until my dying day.”
About the Creator
Stephanie Hoogstad
With a BA in English and MSc in Creative Writing, writing is my life. I have edited and ghost written for years with some published stories and poems of my own.
Learn more about me: thewritersscrapbin.com
Support my writing: Patreon
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More stories from Stephanie Hoogstad and writers in Poets and other communities.
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They say the forest by Phoenix River sings. Perhaps it is just the wind howling through the leaves, or a particular birdsong. But Percy Fisher knows better; he knows what lies in those woods, and he knows that the forest sings of his demise.
By Leigh Hooperabout 12 hours ago in Fiction
Comments (3)
Beautifully written. The recurring line at the start of each stanza gives a comforting rhythm to the piece, which is undercut by the growing tension as the story unfolds. Lovely twist at the end too.
Omgggg, that last stanza broke my heart! I didn't see that coming. Loved your poem!
So tense and heartfelt!! Well done Stephanie!!