I don’t say
I’m tired of being the strong one.
I envy the way rain lets go of the sky
without apology. That sometimes, I imagine
disappearing—not dying,
stepping out of the story
seeing if anyone would turn the page.
***
I don’t say I resent kindness when it comes too late.
How I pocket compliments like loose change—
pretty, but never enough for what I’m starving for.
I don’t say how often I dream, which is loads,
of running into someone’s arms
and not having to explain
the weight I carry to stand still.
***
I don’t say that silence
is safer than honesty—
not because it’s true,
but because I’ve watched my truth
split rooms like earthquakes
and I never learned
how to rebuild without bleeding.
***
I don’t say I am jealous
of people who believe with both hands—
in God, in love, in themselves.
I always believed in leaving first,
before anything could collapse on me.
***
I don’t say that I sometimes miss
versions of myself I never got to be—
the reckless one, the soft one,
or the one who didn’t keep a blade
between her ribs just in case.
***
I don’t say how loud the quiet is at night.
How memories climb into bed with me
and whisper what could have been,
what never should have been,
what still haunts the hollow inside of me.
***
But tonight—
I say it.
***
Every jagged syllable.
Every ember I swallowed
because I thought I had to burn alone.
***
Let my fingers write and hold it.
Let the page be the wound and the stitch.
***
I am here.
This is the sound of silence,
finally breaking free.
About the Creator
Denise Larkin
A writer with a BA in Arts & Humanities (specialism Creative Writing), studying for an MA in Creative Writing, writes poetry and fictional short stories. The author of Time to Run, The Island of Love, Darkness, and The Non-Human.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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Comments (27)
Say everything here 💞
Spectacularly stated and remarkably relatable!!! Love it!!❤️❤️💕
This was quietly devastating in the most honest way. “I miss versions of myself I never got to be”—that line stayed with me. Every stanza felt like something I’ve thought but never said out loud. Thank you for breaking the silence so beautifully. Congrats, Denise 👏🖤
This is beautiful. I could relate with it on so many levels especially the part of not liking kindness when it comes too late.
Congratulations on being a runner up.
Congratulations! This poem is so powerful… this verse is incredibly sad🥺: “ I don’t say I am jealous of people who believe with both hands— in God, in love, in themselves. I always believed in leaving first, before anything could collapse on me.”🥺 Excellent conclusion.✅
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I loved this piece with all its imagery and emotion. I wanted to reach through and lift some weight from your shoulders, take your hand and run away to a place where you could just cry without having to tell anyone why. And I would sit and cry next to you. Congratulations on your well deserved Runner Up!
Congratulations on your placement! 🎉🎉
Gorgeous and haunting.
I'm jealous this is compelling. Love this! Hope you win a prize this was very beautiful!
AMEN
This poem feels like a gentle whisper straight from the heart—so many unspoken emotions captured beautifully. It’s like a quiet conversation we all relate to. Thank you for sharing this tender honesty!
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. ❤️
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
first of all, congratulations on TS, now, OMG this is awesome. I guess we all have our own sounds of silence, but your words make them more real and easier to handle. Beautiful, just utterly beautiful.
Beautiful poetry, Denise! My favorite part: "I don’t say that silence is safer than honesty—not because it’s true, but because I’ve watched my truth split rooms like earthquakes and I never learned how to rebuild without bleeding." Congratulations on your top story. I won't forget this one anytime soon!
This is awesome 👍👍👍
Perfect <3
Whoaaa, this was so deep! Loved it so much!
Thank you for saying this so that I don't have to. This may be my favorite of all your work to date, Denise.
This is a poem that lets people know what one is thinking in an offhand kind of way and lets one think about what they are thinking and saying. Good job.
Brilliantly said and heartwarming words. It flowed so easily.
A wonderful, strong, and powerful poem.
A meaningful, flowing poem. Excellent.