The Spectre Of Silence Poem by Viola Grey

The Spectre Of Silence

Rating: 4.3


Everything stands still,
the air suddenly dries,
like snapping washing
on a summer breeze.
Silence sits at the window,
watching me,
clicking it's tongue
and wondering -
'How does it feel
to know my sombre tones? '
I laugh,
not to feel joy
but only to quiet
that knowing reticence.
Slowly, this air sways,
like lighters glowing
to a stadium song
long forgotten
until today.
A whisper now washes
the chill from my room
and I'm faced
with images of eyes glaring at me
through my soul.
I see them -you know-
their knowing grins
never reaching their eyes...
these shadows of dreams,
these spectres of silence.

7/7/08

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Allan James Saywell 06 July 2008

You should be well pleased with this poem excellent work great image and original content AJS

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Emancipation Planz 06 July 2008

ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh tis an excellent one *creeps back to work without being caught on PH* PS you lie.. weather is not dry! ! !

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Patti Masterman 09 November 2008

I am reminded of the silence of hospital rooms where somebody you love suddenly seems barely recognizable. Silence can seem like agony when you're waiting for something. I have turned on televisions and music to escape from it. The snapping washing is sort of a thrilling touch. A very memorable poem.

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Christine Austin Cole 17 July 2008

Anything that can swallow a room whole the way Silence can (and us, too, in it) , just cannot be ignored. Your personification of it is very well done here - to a recognizable and therefore, kind of disturbing, level. From my perspective, the 'Clicking its tongue' was the clincher. It became in that instant the beast I know. Great post - Christine

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Stone Granite 11 July 2008

I can not agree more with the preceeding comments! This poem is beyond most and is simply and utterly outstanding.

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Tony Jolley 10 July 2008

My I write a comment about a comment? How strange for me to find myself here putting a comment on your poem from NZ immediately immediately after a comment from a friend I've known for nearly 30 years (and no, we didn't compare notes) . Serendipity strikes.... Poem anyone? Seriously though, Kevin is right (this time at least, Kev! !) , this poem is spectacular in its enigmatic nature. I found myself wondering whether 'silence' for me has a male / female or (as for you) neutral nature/quality.... something I'd never thought about before. I love poems that prompt me to think in a way I've never thought before... they are all too rare. This one is beautiful. Thanks, Tony

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Kevin Wells 08 July 2008

If you don't get yourself published, you'll be committing a mortal sin!

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