For the (fictional) series, “Edges”.
Her Voice
The Message
Her Voice
The Message
Whether listened to or not,
whether valid or not,
whether lost or ignored –
the intended meaning was happy.
Was it met with fear or mere distaste?
Indifference or pandemonium?
I'll never know why this loud silence
occurred, gradually turning joy rancid.
Impossible to tell, from here,
if the reaction was vehement or vapid.
No evidence either way.
All I can know is, I'm cactus.
I have no choice but allow
the whole thing to die and calcify.
For the rest, I can be what I like.
So – not heartbroken; rambunctious!
Outwardly at least I appear unaffected,
if occasionally a little distant, a trifle flat.
The only way forward is forward.
But oh, the inner turmoil is savage.
sounds ominous
ReplyDeleteThank you! Mission accomplished.
DeleteRelationships are so very complex. Sometimes the most well meaning comment or gesture is interpreted the wrong way, and we unintentially turn out to be 'cactus' rather than a rose. Been there!
ReplyDeleteHah, this strikes a chord. I really like "I'm cactus" and "the only way forward is forward".
ReplyDelete"gradually turning joy rancid."
ReplyDeleteLuv the imagery here, cleverly written
much love...
The heart is a fickle fiend. No matter how hard we try to hide our feelings .. anger, love, regret perhaps a bit of resentment.. it always gives away a hint on our face to the outside world. I m quite enjoying your fictional series! 💞
ReplyDeleteAll I can know is, I'm cactus... what a terrific line. Does a cactus realize it is prickly. Does it realize why... what a line of thought!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid you give me too much credit. See my comment below.
DeleteWhat a great poem - I loved every word
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm highly complimented.
DeleteLoud silences are the worst kind... Well said. ♥
ReplyDeleteNothing is worse than realising you have made a grave error of judgement except perhaps lingering too long when an earlier decision would be wiser.
ReplyDeleteI feel that all can be lost in translation...
ReplyDeletemaybe more is misunderstood than simply vicious
Hmmm, perhaps 'cactus' used in this way is an Australianism. I had imagined it would be known across the English-speaking world, but comments suggest some of you find it original. It's a slang term for stuffed, rooted, had it, kaput, ratshit .. to use other slang terms which may or may not be peculiarly Australian.
ReplyDeleteI felt your frustration and hurt...and the way we all put on masks to conceal the pain caused. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh that is life isn't it....many times the turmoil is there but if we don't move forward we are doomed! Love the inner dialogue....sounded vaguely familiar to me, sadly!
ReplyDeleteThe last line tells all.
ReplyDeleteI once gave a colleague what I thought and still believe was a well-deserved compliment - and she went wild in that unknowingly I had insulted her, I still don't know how.
I found myself apologising and all seemed well - but inside I was seething.
Anna :o]
ah. I thought of cactus as...cactus! thorny and full of water, as in the American plant. But, the last line of this says it all. The inner turmoil of the end of a relationship is truly savage. Well put.
ReplyDeleteI know ell that inner turmoil and how savage it can be. It's exhausting.
ReplyDeletelove the way this makes me want to know more, to know what happened and why
ReplyDeleteBeware the loud silences...and now I know the slang term 'cactus'...the 'shrugging of shoulders' remainder of the poem makes sense. It speaks relationships to me....inner turmoil and such
ReplyDelete"I'll never know why this loud silence
ReplyDeleteoccurred, gradually turning joy rancid."
Oh that is powerful!
Yikes! Well done! Terrifying~ : )
ReplyDeleteZQ
'All I can know is, I'm cactus'- I know that feeling and the inner turmoil!
ReplyDeleteThe only way forward is forward.
ReplyDeleteBut oh, the inner turmoil is savage.
There are many things within or along the way to stifle progress. It is to be expected!
Hank
The only way forward is forward. I guess we've all had to face this truth, but the inner turmoil really is savage. Love your choice of words, even if cactus has a different meaning for many of us.
ReplyDeleteWell, it does also mean the plant here, too.
Delete