The Silence After

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When an end occurs,

a deafening silence usually follows.
The pleasant sounds which filled each day
Disappear abruptly.
 
Silence.
 
The silence is an assault to ears accustomed
to hearing the sounds of joy;
soft voices,
gentle breathing from the other side of the bed,
the sound of water lapping the shore,
the din of children,
the frequent I love you’s.
 
Stillness.

One would think stillness in the wake of such

chaos
would be a relief and yet it is
not.
Instead, the quiet scrapes my skin raw
and, because I can hardly breath,
relaxation is unattainable.

 

Pleasant sounds will return in time,
but they will be mine instead.
It will be my own soft voice I hear.
I will move to the center and fill my own bed.
I will seek water and listen as it washes ashore.
I will welcome the clamor of children into my home, mine and many from other mothers
In time, I will tell myself I love you. 
Often.

Because with or without you, I still need to hear those words.

 

~ Mk Michaels, 2015

This poem has been published on elephant journal http://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/06/the-silence-after-poem/