The Silence of Her Eyes

Much harder to bear
Than the absence of words
Was the silence of her eyes
There were no shades of love
In their depths
No dawning light of recognition
No glint of passion
No pooling of pain
In the form of tears
Nothing...

Her eyes had taken 
A vow of silence
Unseeing
Unfeeling
Focused on the hospital wall
And there he sat
Dying beside her
As psychologists came and went
And the silence hung heavy
On his heart

He looked at her bandaged wrists
His slit heart
Still bleeding
His thoughts still reeling
Yesterday’s events still 
Fresh as her wounds
His daughter’s screams
Still filling his ears
The sight of her
In a pool of blood
In the bathtub
Unconscious
Still replaying
On the screen of his mind

He sat by her bed
Reached for her hand
Felt nothing
How long he had struggled
To ease her troubled mind
With his love

The only sound
That filled the room
Was the sound of the wracking sobs
That suddenly burst from his frame
He buried his head in his arms
Shutting out the pain
Letting it all go
As his tears soaked
The hospital sheet
Of her bed

Movement….
He felt a hand on his head
His hair moving
To a familiar caress
That now paralyzed him
Could it be?
He breathing ragged
He slowly lifted his face
Wiping his tears
Hoping to see
Hoping to hear
A sign of life

He eyes focused on her face
His blood racing
His heart hearing
Her eyes speak...

A lone tear
Left the pool of her eyes
Hung an eternity on her lashes
And was unleashed
Bringing with it a steam of others
Released from her eyes
A pool of deep love
Shimmering, alive
Recognition of a long lost time
Dawning in her eyes
Her eyes spoke
Words of hope

He smiled through his tears
Gently moving onto her bed
He gathered her in his arms
Hoping she would hear
The language of his heart
The beating of love
The language of his arms
The shelter of love
The nearness of his body
The warmth of love

He prayed she would hear 
She would believe
She would understand
His language of love
Those very words
He had heard
Her eyes speak…

Eileen Manassian Ghali
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Mcdaid Avatar
October 29, 2013 at 4:52 PM
excellent piece of writing eileen
Carrillo Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 10:18 PM
Eileen; this is a master piece. sometimes you don't have to say nothing. The eyes say everything.... many blessings... lucilla
Lamoureux Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 6:49 PM
I am struggling for words, this is a masterclass in writing! I am deeply moved by your words.
Jones Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Wow...I felt like I was at theatre on Broadway...very powerful and lasting......will remember this one sweetie.....for a long time....wonderful
Bauer Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 4:54 PM
wow! very powerful and beautifully written...
Anglesey Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 3:57 PM
Eileen, superbly written and so very moving. The vivid imagery and depth of anguish felt all the way through. Stunning
Tacito Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 3:32 PM
Utterly powerful. That last line had me breathless. Fantastic job.
Seal Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 3:00 PM
A tradegy that may well yet have a happy ending. Let us hope so. Excellent write with tremendous depth of feeling. Take care, Richard
Manassian Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 3:01 PM
Thank you, Mr Seal....I'm glad that you enjoyed this write!
Trifiatis Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 12:04 PM
One has to be prepared to walk through this minefield of emotions knowing not when a mine is going to explode! Fortunately though...! Captivating, agonizing, exhilarating and thrilling! Excellent dear Eileen! You have grabbed my attention from the first till the last phoneme! 7!
Manassian Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Thank you for this high praise, my dear poet. I have been unable to write lately....This scenario has played in my mind for some time....Suffice it to say that it is born from the depth of my heart. For a while, when my mother was sick....I remember crying when I looked in her eyes, for there was no light sparkling there, no recognition of me, no smile in her eyes. I wanted to shake her awake. Ah...Life is cruel at times. Thank you for your post.
Chircop Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 11:35 AM
Hi dear Eileen everytime I visit your poetry..You grab my heartbeat..A beautiful poem and btw lovely avatar : )
Manassian Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Thanks, my dear....How sweet of you. :) Hugs!!!
Onclaud Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 11:15 AM
what a blast, eileen.. an endearing piece with such poignant tones... life is indeed is the " warmth of love.."... wow..:) huggs
Manassian Avatar
October 28, 2013 at 11:16 AM
Thanks, my dear Nette!
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