The Language of Silence

We don't talk about it, I was mutely told,
Schooled in your nonverbal narcissism, I Attest
I became a linguist in the language of silence;

The tightened line of your mouth when a speck
of childhood play leaked through the Aperture 
of your wall of control; the Nuance of your slit eyes,
the stiffness of your shoulders when I disturbed.

The famine of your brevity, starkly juxtaposed with
the Proclivity of your friendly words for the neighbors;
Your perfunctory weak praise, more to lessen your guilt
than lift my esteem.

Even as I write this Saga under the weight of betrayal
nearly undone by our mutual oath of avoidance, and
after decades of delay, you have the Temerity to now
charge me with building the distance, keeping the barricade.

I am bluntly surprised, by your surprise; to accuse me of
this Barren contact, is to blame the clay for the cracks
in the hands that molded it.

And you dare say, why am I this way?
When I inherited the Marrow from you-

10/27/18

for John Hamilton's Eight Word Challenge contest
required words: Aperture, Attest, Barren, Temerity, Saga, Proclivity, Nuance, Marrow.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



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Date: 12/2/2018 9:30:00 AM
Michelle, I enjoyed reading and great way of the use of the 8 words .. Congratulations on your 1st place win.
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Date: 11/30/2018 8:27:00 PM
Very emotionally powerful, Michelle, and so well-written. Congratulations on your fine placement in the contest. Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 11/28/2018 2:19:00 PM
Brilliant! Imaginative! A truly worthy podium winner, Michelle! Outstanding... Season's Best, Gershon
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/28/2018 3:20:00 PM
Thank you, always encouraged by your wonderful comments!
Date: 11/28/2018 8:58:00 AM
Excellent, excellent writing. I found myself relating to the emotions you so vividly expressed in this poem. I almost felt as though you were writing of me. Proof of an outstanding piece of work. Congratulations on your winning placement. This will go among my favorite poems. Best wishes. Deb
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/28/2018 3:23:00 PM
I am so flattered by your lovely comments, Deb, thank you so much!
Date: 11/28/2018 7:23:00 AM
Wow! Kick ass poem dear. ..."is to blame the clay for the cracks..." brilliant. Congratulations on your top win! xomo
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/28/2018 3:25:00 PM
Thanks, Maureen - I am so glad you like the clay line!
Date: 11/27/2018 8:06:00 PM
Sincere congratulations on your win in John's 8-word contest, Michelle - this was not an easy challenge, but very rewarding, I think. Blessings to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season! :-) <3
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/27/2018 10:54:00 PM
Thank you so much, happy holidays to you also!
Date: 11/27/2018 5:25:00 PM
Back to Congrats!! my friend on an excellent win...with this superb entry...love & light...^WW^
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/27/2018 10:54:00 PM
Much appreciate your kind words, thank you!
Date: 11/27/2018 4:49:00 PM
An incredibly powerful and hopefully fictional write. The intensity of feeling and ease with which you have weaved the compulsory words in is excellent,Michelle.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/27/2018 11:05:00 PM
Well, it was inspired by true events, but very grateful for your kind comments, Wendy!
Date: 11/27/2018 4:31:00 PM
Amazing use of the required words Michelle, a testimony to your acumen! Congrats on an excellent shared win!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/27/2018 11:06:00 PM
Thank you for placing me in your contest, very flattered!
Date: 11/13/2018 3:47:00 PM
Masterful use of the prompt Michelle, be very proud of your art here.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/15/2018 2:19:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words, craig!
Date: 11/11/2018 12:01:00 AM
Wowsa! A FAVE. Awesome, Michelle.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 11/15/2018 2:19:00 PM
Appreciate that, thank you so much, Line!
Date: 10/29/2018 9:32:00 AM
Very well done; great story; best of luck in the contest.
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/29/2018 2:30:00 PM
Thank you so much, M.L!
Date: 10/29/2018 7:44:00 AM
Superbly done my friend...ready for a win...love & light...^WW^
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/29/2018 2:30:00 PM
Much thanks for your encouraging comment, WW!
Date: 10/28/2018 6:21:00 AM
This is so sad, it goes to show no one should listen To the lanquage of Silence
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/29/2018 2:30:00 PM
That is very insightful, thank you, arthur!
Date: 10/27/2018 9:27:00 PM
Brilliant work, Michelle! ;) This is so powerful, and evocative of a manipulative relationship... just, wow.
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Rhona Mcferran
Date: 10/28/2018 1:12:00 PM
That sounds like my father, too...
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/27/2018 11:36:00 PM
Yes this came from a few years ago when my father asked why I didn't call him more - I said 'Well you don't call me, either" still surprised by that-
Date: 10/27/2018 8:53:00 PM
Well-crafted entry for the contest, Michelle. Intriguing title and content/message. Best wishes, Gershon
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/27/2018 11:34:00 PM
Thank you so much as always!
Date: 10/27/2018 6:28:00 PM
Amazing intensity in this superb poem, Michelle! Excellent and thought provoking...best of luck in the contest :)
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/27/2018 11:33:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Laura-
Date: 10/27/2018 3:57:00 PM
I kept thinking "there is no way Michelle can throw in Marrow here, how is she going to do it?" My hat is off to you,and the plume of a white feather is sweeping the floor as I bow to you, Maestro! You have mastered this contest!
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Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/27/2018 11:32:00 PM
Thanks, Caren - it was actually harder to use "aperture' and 'proclivity'!
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