Notes About The Poem

Seeker's The Echo Returns Not Contest ~ 3/10/25

The Echo Returns Not

Memories wound like shards of shrapnel
exploding through the restless night
bursting into jagged slivers like broken glass,
leaving a heart wretched and contrite.

Ears strained to hear voices crying
from somewhere within the dark beyond,
the place lying between emptiness and sighing
but not one echoing refrain responds

Not a single word from the void spoken
Silence takes a ransom toll on emotions
There's not a whispered breath, no scant token
that offers hope in any measure of devotion

Shattered is the heart that has been forgot
In the midst of grief, a voice it does not hear.
It's time to move on for the echo returns not.
and in its absence, a heart must prove austere.

Purge all the sorrow and wash away its stain.
No longer whisper and do not strive to hear
nonexistent echoes that resound in refrain,
those ricocheting words that never did cohere.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Peck Avatar
March 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
This is lovely, Lin. Congratulations!
Lane Avatar
March 27, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Many thanks, Ann.
Jones Avatar
March 24, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Wow Lin! This is so imaginative and beautiful yet somber! Your trophy was well earned congratulations on your win!
Lane Avatar
March 27, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Thank you very much for your 'wow' and kind words, Karen.
Rodgers Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Dearest Lin, So raw, powerful, and so deeply moving. Great emotions behind every line, the pain and longing, is palpable. Yet, I felt that there’s a strength in the final lines which is an undeniable push to release the sorrow and move forward. Your words are a beautiful catharsis! Spring Blessings, My Dear Friend, Danielo
Lane Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
You always see beyond or between my lines. Thank you for your insight and complimentary thoughts, Daniel. Writing has always been cathartic for me.
La France Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Lin, amazing poem, excellent for the contest, this line, "Purge all the sorrow and wash away its stain." that is not an easy thing to do, blessings ~
Lane Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
It's such a feeling of accomplishment when a talented poet offers me a compliment like you just did. Thank you very much, Constance.
M  Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Lin Lane in full bloom with another incredibly beautiful poem! You write so beautifully Lin….Debx
Lane Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
You have offered me such a lovely comment. Thank you, Deb.
Junaid Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 1:37 AM
This poem is extraordinarily unique in many aspects - the vocabulary, the rhythm, the hidden messaging, and a clear mastery over words. I agree wholeheartedly with Duke. Quite beautiful.
Lane Avatar
March 11, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Thank you ever so much for your gracious thoughts, Hiba.
Beaufort Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Lin, this is a very interesting psychological poem that I will fav. Indeed there is a difference between memories and what's out there for us in the here and now. Yes, what we think and feel is affected by our memories, but we must adjust how we view them if we want and desire our inner smile. Shards can be smoothed out if we want them to be. I hope you are well and thank-you for helping us all here in the soup navigate that strange cave we call life. BTW, great picture!!!
Lane Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I couldn't find anything better that related to waiting for echoes in the dark than this picture. I'm never sure what Seeker's intentions are with his themes, so I just go with the first thing that jumps out at me. Sometimes it works... sometimes it's N/A'd. lol Thanks, Duke.
Goldsmith Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 1:53 PM
What a creative/powerful write you have here. Great/Deep Picture. "Good Luck" Have a fun day as you write away.................
Lane Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Thank you, Paula.
Daniel Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Wow! This is beyond wonderful, Lin, I am simply not inspired enough to try this contest, but yous is a sure winner:)
Lane Avatar
March 10, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Thanks a lot, Joanna. Writing for Seeker's contests are sometimes like reaching into a space I've never been, but he's a friend, so I try to find something that might make a modicum of sense to me, if not to him. lol 'Try' is the key word.
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