Gnawing Silence

There are things we kept secret after 
our skin became too thin to escape
the bruising of brutal truth.

We wore our lover’s shell
of scarred edges and smiled,
pretending lies weren’t tucked
between life lines.

Holding hands belied the separation
of an accusing finger scratching
the shadows in our palms
where sleeping dogs lay.

The death of “us” wasn’t
from a war of angry words.
It was the meticulous gnawing
of silence through our bones.


©Susie Clevenger 2014

Kerry at Real Toads gave us this phrase for inspiration ~ There are things we kept secret after ....


Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
Such a poem drives directly to the heart of any reader who may have been in the very place you describe. That you have found words for the inexplicable breakdown of communication does not surprise me - your poetry speaks of humanity with compassion and understanding.
Sumana Roy said…
brutal truth def can't be kept without knowledge for long........
chilling lines and the title....
Kenia Santos said…
I second Sumana. There are chilling lines in this poem, what a beautiful collection of thoughts and images you have here. As usual, of course. :)

Kiss, <3
hedgewitch said…
This really starts to take off after the second stanza, and the truth in the final two may be brutal, but it is also the kind that sets you free. Excellent writing, Susie.
Fireblossom said…
As usual, you've got the sharp and telling ending here.
Gail said…
Kerry said it, directly to the heart!

Truthful, frightening and familiar in a woven tapestry of words. Well done.

Maude Lynn said…
Oh, that third stanza! Wow, wow, wow!
brudberg said…
The end.. the silence that really kills everything.. when secrets become concealment.
Unknown said…
Yes Wow wow wow! The malicious gnawing of silence. Booya
Dick Jones said…
A powerful account of the collapse of a relationship's infrastructure. That's a fine closing stanza, Susie!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
"the bruising of brutal truth" - such a powerful line. And the "meticulous gnawing of silence through our bones". Wowzers! that one sizzles!
Marian said…
but smile! smile! this is wrenching, Susie.
Helen said…
This feels real ... painfully so.
Anonymous said…
powerful ~