Silent Scream - A Ghazal Poem by Lois Read

I listened hard, but couldn't hear it
the sound of a bird falling out of a nest.
In Munch we've seen a silent scream.

The virgin and the harlot both wear red.
Who is who? Which is which?
Behind the sheen, a silent scream.

Matisse offered Odalesques, tantalizing
from a safe remove, languishing
lazily, sultry queen, with silent scream.

I listened, but couldn't hear the falling.
a breeze, breathing below white wings
raised goose and nene with silent scream.

The sound of a bird falling out of a nest
is fear and excitement and promised suspended
white world turned green, this silent scream.

The falling bird flies, or dies.
The mute poet shouts, drowns out
what has been a silent scream.