Two New Poems

Silence

Silence speaks

With words of the heart,

Being shoved through the eyes

And the arms

And the nose

And everything else you can't hear with.

A glance in passing

And a smile

Say a lot more

Than "I think you're very pretty,"

Or "I can't wait until we get to talk today."

Silence invokes words unspoken;

Makes you think you're listening

To something you haven't even heard,

And you're happy.

Silence speaks

With words of the mind,

Illustrated by the eyes

And the brain

And human nature

And everything else that makes you hope.

A glance in passing

And a smile

Can mean something else,

Like "I know you want to be more than just friends,"

Or "I'm just being nice to you, you know."

Silence invokes wishful thinking;

Makes you hope you're right

About something you may never even know,

And you're happy.

Lament

I cried as you held me,

"I'm tired! I'm tired!"

And you were tired too,

But still you held me,

Rocking slowly,

Like maybe you were in love.

I laughed as you danced with me,

"Faster! Faster!"

And we danced as fast as we could,

Even though there was no music,

Twisting wildly,

Like maybe we were crazy.

I waved as you left me,

"Come back! Come back!"

And you came back for one last kiss,

But you couldn't stay,

Walking slowly,

Like you knew it was goodbye.

I cried as I held you,

"I'm lonely! I'm lonely!"

And you were lonely too,

Even in my arms,

Rocking you slowly,

Like maybe you'd wake up.

-88-