On Becoming Silence

A Free Verse Poem on My Complicated Relationship with Silence

Silence, once an elusive friend my mind too active to let you settle comfortably between breaths and ‘though I longed to know you you slipped between cracks of synapses — I didn’t even know you were gone

The shrinks didn’t know what to do thinking pills were the answer and they were, they were ’til you became so loud a cacophony of dullness — I couldn’t hear my own heart beating

Now you are my constant companion patient, allowing me to settle waiting for me to sit and breathe then you slide in, gently taking over — through mindfulness, I’ve come to know you through zazen, we’ve become one

if this is like Death’s domain — stillness and calm — then I welcome you with open arms

©2020 Lori Carlson

A big thank you to Diana C. for This Week’s Prompt: 8–14.06 — All Things Silence.

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Lori Carlson writes poetry, fiction, articles and personal essays. Most of her topics are centered around Relationships, Spirituality, Life Lessons, Mental Health, and the LGBTQ+ community. She currently writes for Loose Words, Illumination, The Friday Fix, House of Haiku, Know Thyself, Heal Thyself, The Purple Pen, Blue Insights, and a Few Words.