Those Words
The things I never said, and don't regret.
What if I said that you were terrible,
that your harsh words made me mad?
Would that have broken our sacred bond,
made our love unrepairable,
Or perhaps just made you sad?
*
Should I continue to choke back those words,
those words I never once said.
The ones that often burnt to ash,
as they bubbled and churned,
their volcanic rage inside my head.
*
Those words, a truth I wished I’d screamed
so many, many times before.
That boundary, never to be purged,
those thoughts unseen
trapped behind an unbreachable door.
*
But I’m at peace with silent words,
there will be no guilt nor regret,
of thoughts that lived in angered minds,
forever and always left unheard,
since I haven’t said them yet.
*
I could swear on all that’s ever wrong,
it was you who caused the pain.
But what’s the point in accusations,
now that you’re gone
If I cursed the heavens and your name?
*
You’d still be gone, I’d still be here,
my poor soul be wracked with shame,
while all that’s past and all to come,
would be the guilt forever there,
and I would be the one to blame.
About the Creator
Cathy holmes
Canadian family girl with a recently discovered love for writing. Other loves include animals and sports.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions

Comments (26)
But I’m at peace with silent words...my favorite line. We all have those moments from time to time. Yet we grow beyond them...into something lastingly beautiful. Sadly wonderful.
Fabulous work Cathy!
'as they bubbled and churned, their volcanic rage inside my head.' Is an outstanding line Cathy! The imagery, the tactile-ness of the lava - excellent!
Ah, this was rough. I read it over and over just feeling the pain yet slowly feeling some peace by the end. Brilliant, my friend, my Queen :)
Yay Cathy!! Love that this made honourable mention this week!! 🎉
Wooohooooo congratulations on your Leaderboard placement! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I agree with Lamar, this felt like closure. Like a heavy breath after a long struggle. You're such a powerful writer!
This felt like a type of closure. Whether situations were ever resolved or not, sometimes it’s best to move on from things we can no longer change. Well said, Cathy.
This one hit home. Thank you for writing it
There's a lot of pain and wisdom in this piece. Sometimes speaking even if the words are truth might not be the best course of action. Certainly a fine line to walk between saying what needs to be said and letting love overlook an offense. Very well written, Cathy!
I have read this several times in an effort to write something meaningful in response to the ill treatment you put up with. It really saddens me that so often the man cannot see beyond the boundaries of self and actually partner in the give and take of a real relationship. I suppose telling him off would have chased him away sooner, but I honestly don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Beautifully written like always, Cathy.
Lovely words, Cathy
Indeed, let's just leave what is unsaid be...there are times when that brings more peace, Well-wrought, Kathy.
There is power in the words we don't. Often more than the ones we do 💜Beautiful as always C x
A simple punch. Beautiful poem ❤️
Exceptional work, my friend! It's so hard to know sometimes. 💙
It’s the burden of the wise to know when to bite one’s tongue my friend.
These burdens we bear I would have you know we also share.
Once it's out, it's out and it can never be undone. It might feel good to say it at the time but its ripples will be felt way beyond its initial impact and I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing. Great words as always, Cathy.
It such a nice feeling to finally be at peace with what we've left unsaid. Loved your poem!
Another wonderful and thought provoking piece Cathy! I liked these lines a lot, “But I’m at peace with silent words, there will be no guilt nor regret”. 🙂 🌋
That last line is outstanding. Damn Cathy. Such talent.
I’m at peace with silent words - perfect 👌
Some things truly are best left unsaid, but you said it all very well here
Somethings are better left unsaid, well written Cathy!! It was relatable and so well written!