Weight in Silence
An Entry into Natasha Collazo's Unofficial Challenge In Honor of National Poetry Month
silence
always precedes
—
everything
from the creation of everything
to your last bowel movement
a rumble in the sack
as your body shakes
a ramble in the park
as your body brakes
those torn ligaments
and pulled muscles
are preceded by
deafening silence
it may be momentary
or may be incendiary
more than a simple pause
more than a passive inaction
often what follows
the incident
that follows
the preceding silence
is more silence
at times, full of weight
an atmosphere
that never leaves, just... hangs
yet sometimes, the silence
is just a return to calm
a return to the normal
do you remember that silence?
you know the silence I mean
when your parent, guardian
or the adult or individual
responsible for you
asked you what you were doing
in that way they knew
they knew
exactly what you were doing
and you froze and fell silent
becoming at one
with the thick and claggy silence
you clamber together
half a fully realised excuse
a lie
that the silence aids and abets you in
that silence stands you in the dock
while also playing accomplice
it is the judge, jury, and executioner
then there is the sweet euphoria
of silence with no ulterior motive
a silence with no direct casualty
other than your personal anxiety
silence and your experience
so often is dependant on
the situation, the context
silence that follows a question
a comment, a statement, a string of heartfelt words directed at a loved one no longer here
is perhaps the most devastating
the silence that follows
"I love you" "I'm sorry" or "Please... don't go!"
at the bedside or graveside
—
*
Thank you for reading!
Author's Notes: This is my first entry to Natasha Collazo's unofficial challenge in honor of National Poetry Month. You can find out more by following the link below. There is plenty of time to take part too!
Here are a couple of other things you might like:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (24)
Congratulations Paul, a truly cracking entry!
I am sorry I didn't see this sooner, Paul, but what an excellent portrayal of silence. Congratulations on winning this challenge!
Congratulations on winning this challenge… silence wins again!
Congrats on your achievement Paul!
I found this through Natasha's poetry challenge. It's eighteen kinds of awesome, sir. ⚡💙⚡
Great description for silence. Poignant moments preceding it, so true. Congrats
I believe there's nothing more left to weigh, as you beautifully captured everything in silence, so intense, and I loved it! Congratulations!
Congratulations and well done on your win, Paul
Pretty sure I commented on this but I don’t see my comment below but this is def in my top 5 Such a phenomenal entry
Well-wrought! The sum of wisdom in many matters is silence, but sometimes the silence lies in the omissions between our words. I especially love the reference to the parent-child relationship here, something with which I am very familiar. Through trial, error, and triumph, I continue to grow and learn, and recall Dad's resigned but loving words, sighed my way with a slight smirk: "It's like looking in a mirror."
Reminiscent of those Silence acrostics, but of course so much more rich! Love how you explored the many roles silence can play!
Why haven't you been chosen Vocal's Creator of the Year yet? Beats me! Great work, as always. (I've been watching.)
Well this entry isn't silent, it shouts its greatness <3
Oooo, incendiary is a new word for me and I freaking love that word! Brilliant poem! 🍩🥐
That final line - oof. So good Paul.
Brilliant work Paul!
And ever so deafening, this silence to which I must now succumb.
This was so powerful! Silence is an overwhelming master indeed.
Poignant and thought-provoking as ever - you have a gift and I hope you own and feel it in every silent moment ✨
silence has a loud echo!
This is a beautiful reflection, Paul. Sometimes silence shrieks and at other times it’s just silence. Great challenge entry and good luck!
This touching and so true...and so beautifully written
Oh, poetry...will jump in with something, Saw Paul's poignant piece, wish i knew where to find individual challenges. Sigh. Good one Paul. love the journey of silence.
And what a great entry it is!