Silent hum of grief

My souls mutters in the muteness;
"Is my melancholy more melancholic than yours?"

I gaze across a bridge,
wondering which stream flows to you,
as nobody understands how 
in the definition of lament,
I am a piano without a pianist
and you a harp without strings.

My heart is a weeping willow
within a godforsaken garden.
As the last blossom decays,
the image of you is fading,
resembling fallen leaves on soggy ground.
I don't belong in this numbness,
nor know how to explain why 
my voice is lost in the vastness
of valleys without endless echoes.
I've forgotten what I wanted to say,
attempting to escape this maze of sorrow -
yet your words reverberate without resistance.

Pondering if your spirit will guide
me from this uncertain terrain,
I'm distracted by the silent hum of grief.
It hurts like an eerie lullaby, 
unable to soothe the stillness of your ghost.

As silhouettes disappear in the dimming light,
I protect a fragile flame in your remembrance,
before withered leaves fade into ash.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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12
Thomas Avatar
February 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I think Tanye said it perfectly when she said "aching depth." If you can empathize, this poem can make you feel, remember, the actual ache. You truly have a gift in writing S1. I have returned, it would seem, to the same drama that was here when I left... it is saddening. But I am happy to see old 'names' of comfort.
George Avatar
February 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This is extremely beautiful, your words hold such an aching depth that lingers long after reading. The imagery, like “a piano without a pianist and you a harp without strings,” perfectly captures the void of loss. The lines carries a quiet, melancholic power, especially in the “silent hum of grief” and the fragile flame you protect. The piece feels both deeply personal and relatable, weaving sorrow and longing into something profoundly moving. It’s stunning in its stillness and ache.
George Avatar
December 29, 2024 at 8:59 PM
"I am a piano without a pianist and you a harp without strings." I get the image of two who are lost in the crossroads of life, once entwined, but now drifting apart with the weight of their lost love hanging heavy on them. Even in the midst of heartache, the flame of their love still lingers. As long as this fragile flame is protected, believe that all is not lost. "My heart is a weeping willow within a godforsaken garden." This lament is creating waves of sorrow in me and many. Rise up and start anew. Welcome the new year with hope. Please remember, two streams needn't converge. If they can flow side by side, making a combined gurgle, it will produce a sweeter music than a piano or a harp.
One Avatar
December 30, 2024 at 6:44 AM
Thank you Valsa.. This one is more about losing someone close to you as they leave for another world... But thats the beauty of poetry how we read things differently..
Legros Kelley Avatar
December 29, 2024 at 7:07 PM
I know the shattering of one's heart can take a long time to heal. I do wish that you could once again have joy, someone new. My sister was devastated when her husband left her for another, it was so dreadful, I am glad she was able to find love again. Her new husband had been broken through failed marriages, but together they have picked up the pieces and enjoyed over thirty years together. I pray this for you dear Silent One. You are beautiful, and she has lost even if she doesn't realize it.
One Avatar
December 30, 2024 at 6:46 AM
Yes a heart can shatter from a number of different reasons, especially the loss of a loved one.. Thank you
Proxenos Avatar
December 29, 2024 at 8:13 AM
'Im distracted by the silent hum of grief', 'I protect a fragile flame in your remembrance', 'before withered leaves fade into ash', ' my heart is a weeping willow', 'my souls mutters in the muteness'', As the last blossom decays the image of you is fading'. Words of profound grief for someone very dear who has passed on, a relation or a past love now gone, but someone you think of regularly. Grief lingers, and sticks like super glue, but you have to be happy some of the time, in order to soothe the stillness of this ghost. This, my New Years wish for you my friend. Blessings, Jennifer.
One Avatar
December 30, 2024 at 6:47 AM
Thank you for your wonderful comment and we all feel this silent hum of grief at some point of our lives.. All the best for the new year my friend..
Peranteau Avatar
December 28, 2024 at 8:51 PM
mine silent one who, again i state, "ya ain't that silent dear poet...i'z hear'n ya loud and clear" ') why yourz truly lovez solice, only when....lol, never...since my precious wife past (without her, i'm the different man) i've been thuh bachelor for many years, and since i can't have her, i'm at peace with thuh her'z...Happy New Year dear poet...much love
One Avatar
December 30, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Thanks for you memories.. All the best for 2025...
Manley Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:15 PM
You are alive and with you are all of your dreams. Anything you have imaged is still a possibility it seems. Though they may be realized with someone new, something you have not yet met. Time and distance yet to reveal. Give yourself time to heal and attack some new experiences with zeal. It will come to you. Grief does not have a timeline. But it can be moderated by tiny toe dips into joy. Love you Silent One. Your poems light up my day. - Susan
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:19 PM
You are right about grief... Thank you for appreciating my simple words...means a lot.
Goldsmith Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 8:30 AM
What a powerful yet fragile write. FAV for me... Grief can be very hard. Hope your heart is filled with Christmas Joy and you had a Very Blessed Christmas. I wish you Blessings for the New Year 2025......................
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:20 PM
Thank you for the fave.. I hope you have a wonderful 2025...Best wishes
DiMino Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 5:45 AM
"Pondering if your spirit will guide me from this uncertain terrain, I'm distracted by the silent hum of grief. It hurts like an eerie lullaby, unable to soothe the stillness of your ghost." -- The heart is strong, a surviving warrior...and the heart is also a heart -- never forgets, always misses what it yet loves, separated by time and space. Wishing you a happy New Year my friend. I know intimately the grief you poetically speak of.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:20 PM
I think all of us will know about grief...Thank you for your visit and wish you a wonderful 2025
Singh Avatar
December 25, 2024 at 8:12 PM
A sad poem on inner silence and emotional disconnection beautifully penned.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Thank you
Ashley Avatar
December 23, 2024 at 11:54 AM
Dear Silent One, when I read your mournful verses, I don't know if this feeling I have applies to this poem or not, but for some reason the feeling of you missing your Mum comes through to me, "It hurts like an eerie lullaby". It could be because, I as read this emotional poem, I am missing my own mom. When we lose someone we love we lose a part of ourselves too, "I am a piano without a pianist". I'm deeply moved by the grieving beauty of your poignant pen. "I protect a fragile flame in your remembrance".. yes that's what we do. Warmest wishes, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:22 PM
We all feel these emotions..I really appreciate you feeling and understanding my poem...warmest wishes...Thank you
Poteet Avatar
December 23, 2024 at 5:21 AM
It's a winning piece, personally very current in my own existence this past year...and the title is so fitting to the process of grief. Was sorry to hear you plan no more contests for they were inspiration for my pen. May Almighty God guide your passage through this terrain of grief and onward, upward for His glory. Thanks for sharing your heart with us here.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:26 PM
All of us poets share a piece of our hearts through our poems...thank you for your lovely words
Hind Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 5:32 PM
"I gaze across a bridge, wondering which stream flows to you" love that...it shows such vulnerability
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Thank you
Beaufort Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 5:31 PM
SO, the images you create give me something to ponder. The musical instruments that are incomplete express sadness on a "scale" that exceeds that which we normally associate with grief. How you keep this memory alive is an inspiration and gives permission for any of us to feel sadness for as long as we feel the need or want to.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Thank you for your wonderful feedback
Onclaud Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 2:10 PM
the mood palpable on many layers of pathos, the content a myriad of poetic language so distinct , you created a verse wc stands on its own merit... how painful it is to find no closure from a loved one's demise or slowly healingvyet grieving....clap, cliap, S !
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Thank you Nette
Babcock Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 10:09 AM
We only know the grief when we go through it. "unable to soothe the stillness of your ghost". Will it ever fade I think not. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Thank you
Buhagiar Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Pity there's grief and sorrow. Great imagery. Loved a piano without a pianist and a harp without strings. You are indeed a master of invention.
One Avatar
December 27, 2024 at 2:31 PM
Thank you
Empress Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 1:57 AM
You did use the prompts very well here and i felt the depth of grief and loss through your very seamless write! Your simple musings are the ones that really gets readers to feel and resonate and the way youv used similes metaphors and symbolism to express in such a subtle manner is what gives this an aching touch. I really resonate with especially “ I don't belong in this numbness, nor know how to explain why ” soul hitting really! And “ I protect a fragile flame in your remembrance” that depicts fragility so well! Definitely a top winner this is! I enjoyed reading this and i think not many can come up with lines so poignant and impeccable like you always do! Sending you light always
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Not sure it can be considered as a winner.... Thank you for your feedback..
Jayasankar Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Dear S1, such a heartrending write, so expressive of sorrow and grief. Hope this is fiction and hope you wrote this for some prompt. I hope you are doing good my friend. Wishing you Merry Christmas. God Bless. ~ Ani
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:19 AM
Thank you Anitha..
Tor Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 8:26 PM
Such a heartfelt piece Silent One. There is a sadness that resonates in the soul that is being haunted by memories which are sad that have not been resolved within him. " My heart is a Weeping Willow..." portrays the pain within his heart. ..." unable to soothe the stillness of your ghost..." someone who has departed who has left him and he didn't get a chance to resolve something Dearly important to him before the other dies and this torments him to no end. This person who died is so cherished
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:17 AM
Thank you for understanding my poem, my friend....
Tor Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 8:32 PM
that he consumes this poor soul in trying to get answers, and bring closure to the unanswered questions and resolve in his mind. So sad to live a life of non ending torture of someone who was loved and has left this world. It is truly unfair, because his pain is never ending... Another great write from you my friend. Hoping all is well and wishing you Joy through the coming New Year. God bless you...and heal your pain...
Dietrich Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 8:04 PM
I like Maria's assessment of beautiful melancholy. Some of my favorites are of this variety. A fave!
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:16 AM
Thanks for the fave...
Williams Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Dear S1. your poem is beautifully melancholic and deeply introspective. The imagery in my mind evokes such vivid emotions, weaving a tapestry of longing and loss that's both haunting and tender. The metaphors of the piano without a pianist and the harp without strings are especially poignant, symbolizing the aching incompleteness. Hugs
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:15 AM
Thanks Maria..
Buehler Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Your heartfelt, touching poem conveys feelings of loss, sorrow and sadness, Silent One. Nicely composed.
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:15 AM
Thank you Evelyn..
Rose  Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Hauntingly beautiful and the sorrow is felt heart deep, dear Silent One, Praying its just fiction and that your heart is Ok
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:15 AM
Thank you..
Andresen Avatar
December 21, 2024 at 12:18 PM
- This is rooted deep in the soul and tears at the heartstrings, S.O. - hugs
One Avatar
December 22, 2024 at 3:15 AM
Thank you
12
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