Home » Poems » John Oldham » Unwritten Words

Unwritten Words

They’re not for you Nor you for them Unwritten words from unwritten pens Like shades of white Blanks on a page Unwritten words in an unwritten age They speak in volumes Though tongues may fail Unwritten words that tell no tale The poem that’s never penned The bell that’s never rung The hero who’s unheralded, unsung For words unwritten Are without heed That none the wiser will ever read – Unuttered words Are words unheard By man or beast or woodland bird They give no voice To mice or man To emulate, evolve, or take a stand And with no voice No song to sing The robin sighs and folds its wings – Unspoken words Are words unknown In aching solitude adrift, alone Unexpressed And lost in time As beacons in the night that never shine

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Michelle Smith

Date: 11/23/2023 11:04:00 PM

So many poems in my heart that I haven't gotten out and have forgotten before I even got to think of how they should go... :(

John Oldham
Date: 11/30/2023 4:17:00 AM

Same here, Michelle, same here.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/31/2023 3:47:00 PM

Reminiscent slightly of that old TV show, 'You Don't Say:' 'It's not what you say that counts. It's what you don't say!' Your rendering, of course, is poetic. The TV show was canned inanity. Peace, Gershon

Deb M

Date: 3/28/2023 4:48:00 AM

Love this John powerful and touching! Enjoyed….Debx

John Oldham
Date: 3/28/2023 5:32:00 AM

Thank you, Deb! Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Best - john

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/24/2023 11:48:00 AM

I like this. It's sad. And very poetic

John Oldham
Date: 3/24/2023 2:05:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea. Glad you see the poetry in it. Regards - john

Daniel Turner

Date: 3/19/2023 12:05:00 PM

This is a wonderful poem, John. Easy to read and easy to follow. I love the concept of unwritten, unspoken, and unheard words. I wish I had thought of it first. LOL

John Oldham
Date: 3/20/2023 6:23:00 AM

Thanks, Daniel. Glad you liked it! Best, - john

Ilene Bauer

Date: 3/18/2023 12:17:00 PM

this is wonderful, john! aside from the message, which is very wise, i really love the rhyme and the flow of the poem...

John Oldham
Date: 3/18/2023 5:47:00 PM

Thaks, Ilene. I liked the way the structure worked out, too. It could have been a poem of couplets, but it seemed to work better breaking the first line of each stanza into two -

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/18/2023 10:22:00 AM

I like this one, some really interesting concepts

John Oldham
Date: 3/18/2023 5:43:00 PM

Glad you like it. This really started out as a commentary of missed opportunities. I liked where it took me, in the end.