a series of dotted lines
\nthat never converge<\/p>\n

an elliptical cadence
\nof a conversation dropped
\ndue to a bad connection.<\/p>\n

Speech impediments run in families.
\nWe stutter our apologies
\nAlways, we say, I\u2019m sorry
\nbut never really mean it.<\/p>\n

Silence is the understudy for such platitudes.<\/p>\n

The things we want to say
\nbut can\u2019t
\nmeans it\u2019s all in our heads.<\/p>\n

Second guessing ourselves
\nis an automatic safety feature for our mouths<\/p>\n

no hazard shall arise from
\nhaving not said
\nwhat we can\u2019t take back<\/p>\n

means having too much to lose
\nand too much at stake<\/p>\n

is the inability to speak on command
\ntherefore
\nforever holding our peace
\nof mind
\nlost…<\/p>\n

is the ability to sit on command
\nto bark only when called.
\nIt means \u2018good doggy.\u2019<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Silence does as it pleases.<\/p>\n

It never checks in
\nand always assumes no
\nreally means go.<\/p>\n

It is the sound of
\na dial tone
\na slamming door
\na key turning in the lock<\/p>\n

It is
\na shrug
\nwalking away
\nwaiting for others to step in<\/p>\n

It is decidedly not my problem.<\/p>\n

A grunt
\na huff
\nan eye roll
\nan inaudible sound of an inward sigh<\/p>\n

this too is silence.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Silence is the sound
\nof elevator music
\non a crisis hotline….
\nI am left on hold
\nfor so long
\nI hang up.<\/p>\n

Silence swaggers in with a smile
\nafter a long spell of sadness<\/p>\n

giving away possessions
\nthey are better off without
\nme
\nwhen I say goodbye without warning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Silence is leaping into the sky
\nand never coming down<\/p>\n

it is concealing a bad habit
\nand a deadly weapon.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Silence is the violence
\ndried in the creases of your knuckles
\nwhen you promise me
\nit won\u2019t happen again.<\/p>\n

It is that lull
\nbetween a clap of thunder
\nand the power going out<\/p>\n

It is the dawn
\ncreeping under our blinds
\nafter a very long night.<\/p>\n

The silence that follows
\nmeans I meant everything I said<\/p>\n

with a seasick fluttering in my chest
\nfireworks going off in our heads
\nthe gun going off in your dreams.<\/p>\n

Silence is premeditated.<\/p>\n

Me, saying I\u2019m fine
\neven as I sob, and
\nyou
\nresponding with
\nthat\u2019s good
\nwhen you ask me how my day went
\nis silence<\/p>\n

is radioactive waste
\nburied many miles
\nunder the ground.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Silence is something we do
\nwhen we have no words to describe
\nwhy we do what we do.<\/p>\n

It is a smokescreen
\nan elephant performing tricks
\nto make us laugh<\/p>\n

the clown inside us all
\nwho fills our heads
\nwith caramel corn
\nand cotton candy
\nto hide our fears and
\nkeep us distracted<\/p>\n

It is the bystander inside us all
\nwho wants no part of it<\/p>\n

the gaslighter inside us all
\nwho insists that the sun
\nis rising in the west.<\/p>\n

Silence is a certain style of breathing<\/p>\n

Sucking it up
\nand holding it in<\/p>\n

never letting out or
\nletting it show<\/p>\n

all alone
\ntogether<\/p>\n

we subsist
\non spoonfuls of air<\/p>\n

even as we suffocate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"