Silent One Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

A Sunday scribble for Miranda Hawley's 'Pick a sentence' poetry contest.

The chosen phrase: 

• I'm okay, you're okay is a mask in the land of pretend.

Photograph by Henriett Butler

Vigilant Veil

There's an irony 
                       in speech,
people only hear what
                               harmonises with their ears.
Just like silence 
                      after music,
                                       with no ovation nor applause,
we pause

our 
symphonic chorus,
                          as its repetitive 
                          nature is ignored.

We bury our fragility 
                             in a 
                                   shallow grave,
hoping no one 
                     will discover our 
                       porcelain soul,

but 
     wait 

               for the right person 
               to dig 
                       a little 
                                deeper.

             Will your truth be found in this unmarked tomb?

Revealing vulnerability
can lead to judgement,
so in your 
misunderstood state of mind,
I understand 
why your tongue is mute.

Place your 
               vigilant veil carefully, 
                                             but smile...

Be weary of those 
who attempt to break your barriers -
not everyone will care to serenade with your melody.

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Karen Jones February 23, 2024 at 2:27 AM Congratulations on your win!

Paige Hind October 25, 2023 at 10:39 AM A lot of truth and potency in this... enjoyed!

Joseph May October 24, 2023 at 2:32 PM "The irony of people only hearing what harmonises with their ears", becomes a discordant melody, Well penned Silent

Mystic Rose Rose October 24, 2023 at 11:05 AM lol no not everyone will serenade your tune, some will ruin your silence if you let them, oh but don't you let them, like the song goes :)

Ink Empress October 23, 2023 at 10:58 PM This is one of the most simplest of your poems i think ive read recently. One that just flows in a way that any reader can resonate not just men. Ones who constantly suppress their emotions and hide behind veils of smiles, to mask their pain, as not many can understand or they are left feeling unheard and unseen despite expressing. I really love the title! Can we have that as a prompt on insta? Lol its so catchy and unique! And the alliterations! Ah! And i love the line “ we bury our fragility Ink Empress October 23, 2023 at 11:01 PM In a shallow grave! That can be actually a brilliant quote! So deep and meaningful! “Will your truth be found in this unmarked tomb?” What a deep line that is! You do also have a very deep mindset? A philosophical way of trying to make sense of emotions and all that around! And that can be evident in this wise raw and sincere write! “ Just like silence after music, with no ovation nor applause, we pause our symphonic chorus” wow although this poem is simple these lines i cant consider as simple as they are truly so very artistic and poetic! I am in awe of the way you’ve written for this prompt and im sure this will be a top winner! I wish i can write like this! Oneday? When I grow up (lol :D) goodluck!

Fading Star Silence October 23, 2023 at 5:09 PM Wow..i resonate so deeply with this brilliant piece..it’s hard for me to trust and to be vulnerable with all but just a few. Instead I find myself feeling too exposed, overthinking if it was right for me to have shown my vulnerability with someone..”revealing vulnerability can lead to judgement, so in your misunderstood state of mind, I understand why your tongue is mute” really hit me in the gut! Fading Star Silence October 23, 2023 at 5:09 PM Either they use our vulnerability against us or they use it to be what no one else has been for us. Your poem as a whole is truly so deep and gracefully woven!

Nancy Kaufman October 23, 2023 at 4:46 PM Wow such profound thoughts here. Excellent write.

Victor Buhagiar October 23, 2023 at 1:13 AM We have become like a menu, stealing what suits us. So we become an unmarked tomb. Great poem with perfect flow and deep thoughts. Blessings

Meymei Rose October 22, 2023 at 5:22 PM This was truly powerful. Thank you ??

Abdullah Alhemaidy October 22, 2023 at 2:49 PM Great read!

Joseph P. DiMino October 22, 2023 at 12:31 PM "There's an irony in speech, people only hear what harmonises with their ears. Just like silence after music, with no ovation nor applause, we pause our symphonic chorus, as its repetitive nature is ignored." Wow! Very profound. "Place your vigilant veil carefully, but smile. Be weary of those who attempt to break your barriers - not everyone will care to serenade with your melody." In the end, one finds standing with you, only self and God. A few friends may come down off their clouds. I hope there is Heineken to first quench my thirst.

Sotto Poet October 22, 2023 at 7:05 AM Dear Silent, Your poetry is an art, full of passionate strength. Disclosing our deepest thoughts may be greeted with deafening silence in a society that scorns vulnerability, especially among males. We may wonder whether our sentiments are worth sharing. Meaningful masks are worn to hide one's true self from inquiring eyes. Your excellent poem distills this complex issue into a personal great and well-conveyed message. This is a fave. Silent One October 22, 2023 at 7:33 AM Yes you are right so we smile on..sadly suicide amongst males is very high... thank you

Deb M October 22, 2023 at 6:41 AM I absolutely love this S.O ….some men especially (perhaps not so much nowadays as times have changed for the better) have trouble removing their mask for fear of being perceived as weak, being judged and feeling vulnerable! Thats what l read and felt from reading your mighty words! Debx Silent One October 22, 2023 at 7:31 AM Yes you are right Deb..sometimes even when men open up, they are not taken seriously and that is sad...Thank you

Vijay Pandit October 22, 2023 at 6:32 AM not everyone will care to serenade with your melody---good reason to put on a veil. You delivered aptly on the given theme, SO. Silent One October 22, 2023 at 7:31 AM Yeah...not everyone cares.. thwnknyou Vijay

Regina Mcintosh October 22, 2023 at 6:13 AM So true. Awesome writing - powerful suggestions, phrases, poetry. God bless you. Love, Gina Silent One October 22, 2023 at 7:30 AM Thank you Gina..