unsent draft messages

For the longest time there was stillness

Unspoilt, uncracked, unbreakable 

Until silence awoke and spoke to me

She broke through and spoke to me

She spoke in such a way,

That I heard her voice

Though not a sound was made,

I heard her voice

Though not even a blade of grass did move

At once, I was soothed and scolded

Soothed by her presence in solitude

The companion I could hardly discern

She held me and strengthened my fortitude 

Though her touch was not gentle, I learned

If I had known it would burn,

If I had known it would burn so deeply

I would have chosen to keep her at bay

Instead of harbouring her voice

Harbouring her voice so close,

As if to savour the sensations

The sensations of her labouring intonations 

Savouring her lamentations

Or did she just echo mine?

Did I pour my heart out willingly?

Or did she decanter this wine?

When did I become her cupbearer?

The cupbearer of silence

Did she have my acquiescence by design?

Or did I seek her counsel?

Perhaps she was always here

Biding her time

Biding her time to thaw the stillness

To breach these walls

Knowing they’d fall  

Knowing I’d seek her call

I wonder,

Did I finally choose to listen that night?

Or was I compelled to stay?

The night that silence spoke to me

When she spoke in such a way,

That all I could hear was her voice

As if I even…

As if I even had another choice