Eileen Manassian | + Follow Poet |
Free verse | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

When You Say Nothing At All

Sometimes words can flay a heart’s tissues
Inflict wounds that last a lifetime
Sear the mind with painful recollections
And make you just want to die

But then again, inconsequential words
Meaningless chit chat
To appease the conscience of the one who speaks
That something’s been said at last
Are just as corrosive
Salt rubbed into open wounds
That aren’t acknowledged
They offend more than comfort
And would be better not said at all

Then there is the silence
Ah…the twisted warped suffocating silence
The silence of self-preservation
Bought at the price of someone’s sanity…life
A silence born out of the knowledge
That THIS will take an investment
Of emotions and time
And so nothing is said
You silently withdraw
All the one in pain hears is silence
A silence that shrieks
Of rejection
Dead silence
Where once there was banter 
Unchecked laughter
……joy……

When you say nothing at all
That leaves a gaping hole in my heart
I try to fill it up with memories
Of when you were courageous and brave
Strong enough to speak
Words that would heal
Instead of this weak thing you’ve become
Only caring for your own well-being

The filling falls out
Incompatible to my heart’s tissues
To the reality of you...
It doesn’t hold
The holes remain
And I slink away
To nurse my pain
And I draw further into my shell
Cocoon myself in outer silence
Yet my heart is in constant conversation
With the person you used to be

When you knock
All you hear
Is resounding silence
For you have taught me well
I am a good student 
I will keep silent
I will not tell you sweet little nothings
While my heart bleeds
And you pretend not to see
I won’t talk of the weather
If I can’t talk about the storm in my heart
I won’t talk of inconsequential things
To give you the sense of normalcy you crave
I want you to be brave
No, I won’t stoop that low
And so……………
I pretend
Not to be there
Two can play this game
And I wait for the knocking to cease
To be left in peace
Safe from a world
Where people say
Nothing at all.

Eileen Manassian Ghali

The title of this poem is the title of one of my favorite songs by Ronan Keating. It is the exact opposite of the message of the song which is absolutely fabulous. Give it a listen if you have the time.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuJrEBtmM1Q. It was the theme song for Notting Hill, one of my favorite movies.

Please Login to post a comment

Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/29/2013 11:18:00 PM I always enjoy the banter between you and Richard. There is a real warmth in your conversations. Have a great Day Eileen. Hugs Rick. Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 6/30/2013 6:28:00 PM :) I'm carefree with Richard, and the bantering lightens my spirit. :) Thanks for the visit. Always a pleasure.

Richard D Seal Date: 6/29/2013 9:54:00 AM I find in these situations it's always best to be direct, ask what's going on, clear the air so to speak. It's no good wondering and moping over, just makes it worse. Nice write on the subject, one that happens all too often. Take care, Richard Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 6/29/2013 9:57:00 AM I couldn't agree with you more, Richard. If only all people would do that. BUT...to be honest (yes, I do value that above all), I'm learning to play the game like everyone else. People hardly ever say what they mean....often there are hidden messages and sarcasm and a whole bunch of things and I'm like....for goodness sake, just SPIT IT OUT! :) Hope all is well, Richard.

Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/29/2013 8:51:00 AM This is heartbreakingly sad and so well expressed. For me silence is most difficult, I would rather the person yell at me, the silence is unbearable. You struck a chord with this one. Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 7/1/2013 8:21:00 AM I never thought of it that way......but yes, you are absolutely right. Thanks for the insight! Richard Lamoureux Date: 7/1/2013 7:25:00 AM Sometimes silence means you are just so hurt that it is impossible to express yourself without breaking to pieces. Eileen Manassian Date: 6/29/2013 9:58:00 AM It is born out of my pain, so yes, it would be sad. It shocks me, it absolutely shocks me how clueless people can be. Honestly.....cry for help? Who hears that anymore. SOME do. SOME do...and that is such a breath of fresh air. :) Yes....I would rather yell and let all hell break lose...silence just means "Your not important enough for me to get myself worked up." Thanks for the post, Richard.