Speaks Volumes Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Craig's instructions for this poem were not to use mountains or buildings, or winds or anything that creates an acoustic shadow in reality.

As the sounds mentioned in this poem aren't real but all conjured and implanted by my brain, and are all shadowy figments of my affliction, I hope they will be allowed.

Acoustic Shadows

A haunting rustle continues to stir, 
imprisoned by a restless ghost I cant deter.
Becoming a relentless hiss of a punctured tire,
to the blazing crackle of a funeral pyre.

When the world is loud, it can try to hide,
as my brain is otherwise occupied.
When the world rests and there is no noise,
this perfect silence, my mind destroys. 

Waterfalls that never hit the rocks below.
Unbearable phantom sounds plateau.
As the cadence quickens to a frantic hum,
while a fury of cicadas pulse like a drum.

Invading the desperate hollows of my mind, 
it’s insanely incessant, torturously entwined.
There’s no sanctuary from this discordance of sound.
A tempest of delirium down to a snake’s rattle abound.

Streaming water from the shower, a noise I dread.
Nobody at home, its all in my head.
Suffering tinnitus is a lifelong affliction, 
Every waking hour a curse, a malediction.
 
When will I enjoy silence and my sanity restore? 
The Raven answered "Nevermore"

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Sotto Poet April 24, 2026 at 12:57 PM The imagery you have created is warm, visceral, and captivating. Excited to have read it! Thanks for your comments. Speaks Volumes April 25, 2026 at 1:38 AM Well its about time you came back ! I was a tad worried. Have you been jet - setting again? Thnx for the comment. Cheers from Wen.

Gary Radice April 21, 2026 at 3:06 AM As a fellow tinnitus sufferer (who left the gas fire on?) and only partial hearing in my right ear I can empathise. Aren't nights the worst? With or without the afflictions though this poem still speaks loud to me. I applaud the rhyming (not enough rhyming in poetry for me) and the subject. Good luck in Craig's contest. Cheers - Gary Speaks Volumes April 21, 2026 at 9:58 PM G'day Gary, before I knew that I had tinnitus I would occasionally say to my husband "Wow the locusts are going crazy tonight" He would disinterestedly look up from his computer and agree with me (having never heard the sounds at all ) ........ Thanks for your comment.