Home » Poems » Alesia Leach » Fading Voices

Fading Voices

they sit by windows streaked with time
watching days dissolve to gray
their voices, once a steady chime,
now whispers none will hear or stay

names they spoke with love and pride
have softened into air and dust
letters sent, unanswered, dried
memories fading, left to rust

the hallway hums with hollow sound
a clock that ticks but never calls
footsteps pass, but none are found
that stop beyond these silent walls

once, they held the world so near
cradled hands and wiped away fears
now they wait, year after year
forgotten ghosts of golden years

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Paige Hind

Date: 5/18/2025 3:06:00 PM

I keep seeing the after.... this is a cutting piece, to the core-

Alesia Leach
Date: 5/23/2025 4:25:00 PM

Thank you, Paige. “The after” is exactly what I hoped would linger--soft and sharp all at once. This one cut while writing it, too. I’m grateful it reached your core, and that you stayed with it

Justin Bordner

Date: 5/15/2025 5:30:00 PM

"They sit by windows streaked with time, watching days dissolve to gray..." Fantastic sentimental metaphysics Alesia. We must want to be what we are, or else...J.A.B.

Alesia Leach
Date: 5/18/2025 12:48:00 PM

Justin, your words strike at the very marrow of this piece--thank you. That idea of wanting to be what we are… it lingers. So much of Fading Voices came from observing the slow quiet of forgetting, and your insight brings that stillness into sharp, poignant focus. I'm grateful as always for your depth.

Tom Woody

Date: 3/3/2025 6:11:00 AM

Ugh! Getting old in this world can be an awful experience for some. Losing people is part of the hellish gig. Finally, our turn arrives and off we fly. Nice rhymes as always

Yann Rolland

Date: 3/3/2025 4:36:00 AM

so sad, i know about unanswered letters, thanks for the touching verses

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 3/2/2025 5:58:00 PM

Powerful and sad. Many times in today's society the old are shoved off to the side. Many in nursing homes and forgotten. Well said.