Weight in Silence

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!

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