ever stood at the black, roiling shore
having brought your heavy ream of sorrowful days with you
wrapped so tight you suffocate from the weight
feeling it is only you who stand
alone
and your heart is a small vessel receding horizon
where a raw scream into the waves crashing all around you
would be something… something at least
but all that comes is the mute clank of pain
where life has side-kicked stoic knees from under you-
they give way and you stumble and fall where you stand
and now your hands are filled with inedible grain
seaweed debris mocking your stark little deaths-
arms wrap cacophony around you for shelter
and silence is all there is and you wail
you wail its horse hair blanket remorse
faced pressed to a wet galaxy of sand
and you bleed tears until you are bloodless
and you surrender to the blessed nothingness of sleep
when some premonition nudges you awake
telling you to turn blinded eyes
and at first you see nothing except barren sand
but a spiral conch lies right beyond reach
surrounded by a constellation of pale sand dollar like stars
and
even bereft inside this abysmal wretched state
you stretch out heavy arms
pick up the display
dropping them into deep jacket pocket
wet sand and all, absently wondering
why you’d want a souvenir of this?
the cold encroaches so you turn to leave
and you do
but inside the car another pocket of silence
so you do not turn the key but wait
for a reprieve or a reckoning-
and you remember the conch in your pocket
so you reach deep and retrieve it -
spread out the sand dollars on your dash
then you bring the seashell to your ear
and you don’t even have to listen for it is there-
the stars glisten quietly on the dashboard-
an ocean of peace spills in sound you can hear-
you realize you are never alone
and silence is by no means ever silent.
Author notes
A contest entry for: just tell me the fucking truth.
by angela
prompt
why is god quiet.
s i m o n e w a t e r s
In a list
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Yes. Have I ever. Good luck in the contest, Scribe. 
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Simone, from my humbled perspective, this is the best poem you have ever written.
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wow, Tess... what a compliment, my friend...
thank you
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S, this is fantastic and touching and at times difficult to read. quite difficult. hmmm, I don't think the theme could be better expressed. so many good lines, but on first read, I'll pick these - next time, three others probably.
mute clank of pain
seaweed debris mocking your stark little deaths-
stars glisten quietly on the dashboard
can i suggest you read the last verse aloud, I think it might need a tad of tightening, (6 'you', 2 'your', 3 'so you') but it doesn't get in the way of the moment of revelation and relief. so very good S.
mark -
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thanks M... the "yous" are intentional. lol... I know what you mean though... I had to resist editing myself, but they serve a purpose.
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Yes, I see the purpose of the 'so you' repeat, they work great - wonder if they appear loose with all the others on the table too though and lose some impact... but if it is good for you, then it is perfect.
and tess is right, it is that good. I had a similar thought but so many to choose from in that elevated sheaf of yours.
ocean of peace - to you and yours S. to you.
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lines i love:
and your heart is a small vessel receding horizon
dropping them into deep jacket pocket
wet sand and all, absently wondering
why you’d want a souvenir of this?
the stars glisten quietly on the dashboard-
dang...i wanna frame those lines
love it!
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c.... oops. Forgive me. I must have responded to you in my mind, honey Because it's not here.
Thank you for leaving such a great comment (and for using a line from this poem as one of the prompts for one of your contests! What an honor...nods)
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