Shalom Freedman (Troy New York)

SILENCE CAME AFTER DAYS OF STRUGGLE WITH WORDS

Silence came after days of struggle with words
After many awkward failures
Out of the understanding
That nothing more could be done.

Silence came of exhaustion and emptiness and defeat
Not the beautiful silence we love
But the silence of desperation.

Silence came and made me look at my lines
With discomfort and dissatisfaction.

I break the silence now
Without any assurance whatsoever
That I should.