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Speak In Silence

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Originally published: 15th June 2021

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Chosen as Poetry Soup's POEM OF THE DAY (17th June 2021)

Featured in The Poetry Soup Anthology "PS: It's Still Poetry"

I'm revisiting childhood again in this poem and questioning - as I remember doing so back at school - the power of prayer.

what happens to those words we say that speak in silence when we pray? do they remain inside our head to die with us when we are dead? or do they echo off the walls of bedrooms, churches, schools and halls to fall upon the silent ground and lie unheard and lost 'til found? or do they find those cracks of light that shine despite the darkest night and reach out to that world above to talk to those we miss and love?

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Christopher Flaherty

Date: 7/27/2021 12:53:00 PM

Fall upon the silent ground And lie unheard and lost til found. Utterly fantastic Gary Brilliant love it. Frozen in one's own thoughts and silent contemplation

Gary Radice
Date: 7/27/2021 1:10:00 PM

Thank you Christopher. This has proved to be one of my most popular poems from my recent attempts. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers - Gary

Smita Kulkarni

Date: 7/4/2021 12:33:00 PM

The words are very powerful, even if they are spoken in silence!!! Beautifully written!!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/4/2021 1:55:00 PM

Thank you Smita for your own beautifully written words here :) Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood

Date: 6/24/2021 4:50:00 PM

Wow, Gary. It’s slightly different but reminds me of being about five or six. Went to the church at the end of our street, on my own (you could in those days). I walked in and the very ceiling and walls and pews and floor tiles all whispered in my ear, ‘What do you want here: you don’t belong here.’ I never went back... and never will. I don’t do prayer because I can’t be sure who’s listening. Your poem brought all that back to me. Weird huh? Terry (by the way... I’m not nuts... honest!)

Gary Radice
Date: 6/25/2021 12:37:00 AM

No it's not weird and you are certainly not nuts Terry. :) It's back to that school years theme for me and being told almost on my first day to put my hands together and close my eyes to pray and never understanding what prayer was let alone why we did it. I 'm trying to make sense of the young 7 yr old world around me and questioning why we pray and what happens to our words Cheers - Gary

Brandy Nicole

Date: 6/17/2021 2:36:00 PM

You state that you are "remembering back at school - the power of prayer." Those days I remember as well. Times have changed and not in a good way. Those following Christ, their prayers are lifted indeed. They are heard. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Congratulations Gary, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 3:13:00 PM

Thank you Brandy for your lovely words. Several of my poems hark back to the days when my childhood was wrapped in blue sky and this is certainly one of those poems. Cheers - Gary

L MILTON HANKINS

Date: 6/17/2021 12:37:00 PM

Back to say CONGRATULATIONS, Gary for your POTD!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 12:51:00 PM

Thanks Milt. It was a very nice surprise to be honest. Cheers - Gary

Ken Rone

Date: 6/17/2021 12:11:00 PM

Wonderfully inspired and unique. Such graceful rhythm while my brain churns at the questions being asked. Congulations on your PODT.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 12:28:00 PM

Hi Ken! Thank you for stopping by to read and comment and thank you for referring to the poem as inspired and unique. I truly appreciate that. :) Cheers - Gary

Belle Bellevue

Date: 6/17/2021 9:56:00 AM

Gary this is just beautiful, every word. I believe our prayers are heard, “God’s a good listener, redeemer and friend - A saviour on whom one can depend.” ~ Congratulations on poem of the day… Belle

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 10:24:00 AM

Thank you for your lovely comments Belle. Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh

Date: 6/17/2021 9:09:00 AM

This one is a surprise Gary, not that it got poem of the day, but the angles you come at, for these searching questions, I’m sure we all have different ideas of how prayers might communicate, from just a mere thought, or audible incantation, wonderful flow from a doubtful start to a hopeful ending, congratulations and well deserved potd, cheers David

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 9:24:00 AM

Thank you David. At one point the line 'or do they find those cracks of light' was going to read ' - or do they find those cracks of light' (with the hyphen preceeding the word 'or' to accentuate the hopeful ending.) I settled with the former. Like my other poem "All The Young hymns" it's basically me as a 7 yr old questioning and trying to make sense of the world around me - but it's open to interpretation too. Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 6/17/2021 8:10:00 AM

What beautiful words, Gary. The last two lines especially stirred my heart. Congratulations on POTD!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 8:43:00 AM

Thank you Ann! I was determined that the last two lines would be more uplifting after all that went before it. Cheers - Gary

Kim Merryman

Date: 6/17/2021 8:10:00 AM

Gary, congrats on your POTD with this thought provoking poem! Blessings, Kim M

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 8:46:00 AM

Thank you Kim! To be 'thought provoking' is exactly what I aimed for. Cheers - Gary

Unseeking Seeker

Date: 6/17/2021 8:06:00 AM

as we be by God gently so breathed, no thought nuance is ever deceased ~ congrats on POTD with this thoughtful write, Gary!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 8:53:00 AM

Unseeking, thanks so much for your profound words and thank you for your congratulations. It's all very much appreciated. The poem was originally written from the viepoint of me as a young child at school questioning prayer and its power. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/17/2021 7:30:00 AM

Great question, great ideas, great theme...Much to ponder in this spiritual search. Congrats on POTD, Gary! Blessings and Bounty, Gershon

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 7:37:00 AM

Thank you Gershon. Great comments :) Cheers - Gary

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 6/17/2021 7:25:00 AM

Your wonderful words "echo off all the walls" to reach the chambers of my heart.. your very words bear the beauty of Light, the tender feel of Love.. wherever they soar, wherever they set their seeds.. there will be a fertile soil, a deep well, shining rays for them to bloom in wonder.. A great poem that truly talk to beautiful souls that are tremendously delighted to give due respect and recognition for your amazing poem! Congratulations, Gary, on your POTD honour! Well earned! You are of remarkable humility and beauty! An immense pleasure to read you! My deepest regards and blessings.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 7:36:00 AM

Besma, your words read like poetry in themselves. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Justin Abdool

Date: 6/17/2021 6:54:00 AM

Sometimes actions speak louder than words. As long as we are heard that's all that matters. Great piece, Gary. Enjoy the POTD. It's well deserved.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 7:06:00 AM

Thank you Justin for your visit and the congratulations. I can't argue with your words. Cheers - Gary

Heidi Sands

Date: 6/17/2021 6:51:00 AM

Congratulations for this great POTD Gary :)

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 7:03:00 AM

Thanks so much Heidi. I really appreciate your comments. Cheers - Gary

Janice Canerdy

Date: 6/17/2021 6:10:00 AM

Gary, this lovely poem made me smile AND tear up. I love the positive turn, shows faith that prayers do reach Him. Janice

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 6:20:00 AM

Hi Janice. Thank you for reading and your and lovely comments. Cheers - Gary

Constance La France

Date: 6/17/2021 6:08:00 AM

Gary, wonderful and congratulations on receiving POEM OF THE DAY enjoy the honor, peace _Constance

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 6:50:00 AM

Thank you Constance! I feel honoured to have been awarded POTD. Cheers - Gary

Alexis Y.

Date: 6/17/2021 5:18:00 AM

Hi Gary, I believe God hears all of our prayers; then I listened to a song by Garth Brooks; a verse in the song said,” One of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers” Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Have a wonderful day:-) Alexis

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 5:35:00 AM

Hi Alexis. Garth's words are very profound. Poetry in themselves. Thank you for sharing them and for your congratulations. Getting POTD was a lovely surprise - surprise being the operative word. Cheers - Gary

Joseph May

Date: 6/17/2021 5:17:00 AM

"They shine despite the darkest night" Congrats on POTD..

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 5:31:00 AM

Thank you Joseph. I appreciate your visit, read and kind comments. Cheers - Gary

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 6/17/2021 5:13:00 AM

You have wonderfully carved your very rubies of rarity! Poetry dipped into a most sublime sentiment.. Poetry that ascends to the magic of fairy dreams that lends itself to the possibilities of a carpe diem reality! A Poetry that earns the honour and recognition! Congratulations dear Vijay on your POTD honour! A great delight to read! My deepest regards and blessings.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 5:30:00 AM

Besma, What wonderful words - they are a poem in themselves. I'm wondering, however, if your beautiful words belong to Vijay's fantastic POTD "When Dreams and Reality Rhyme" (June 16) as you mentioned his name in your comments? Thank you anyway - it was great to read your words and hey - I too have added comments to the wrong poem on several occasions. :) Cheers - Gary

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 6/17/2021 3:03:00 AM

I feel God listens to our prayer. He may not always fulfill our wishes but he does hear them. Congratulations! Enjoy the honour of Potd!

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 3:12:00 AM

Thank you Rama. Cheers - Gary

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/17/2021 1:07:00 AM

Im sure they find their way Gary, just because we don't get an answer doesn't mean it has not been read. Congratulations on POTD, enjoy the honour. Tom

Gary Radice
Date: 6/17/2021 1:21:00 AM

Thank you for the congratulations! I wasn't aware my poem was poem of the day if I'm honest so that's come as a real bonus :) I hear, respect and certainly don't disagree with anything you have said Tom. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

L MILTON HANKINS

Date: 6/15/2021 11:43:00 AM

Loved your couplets in rhyme, Gary. I have often asked the same questions about prayer and "talking to God." Good writing.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/15/2021 12:11:00 PM

Thanks Milt. It's always a pleasure to read your comments. I'm behind on reading others' poems at the moment so will set aside some time to do so in the next few days. Cheers - Gary

Constance La France

Date: 6/15/2021 6:57:00 AM

Gary, beautifully penned, I think words said, never go away, once said good or bad they are forever, I would love to hear your own voice reading your poem one day, I am trying to figure out how to do it too, peace _Constance

Gary Radice
Date: 6/15/2021 8:40:00 AM

Thank you Constance. Other than Line's voice on one poem (she kindly sent me an mp3 file) and background ambient sounds to a couple of other poems (downloaded from Zapsplat) that's about my limit in the audio department at the moment. :) I will give it a go though. Thanks again Cheers - Gary

Line Gauthier

Date: 6/15/2021 6:17:00 AM

OMG what a lovely poem ~ a FAVE for me.

Gary Radice
Date: 6/15/2021 6:34:00 AM

Thank you so much Line. :)