Shattered silence

The veil of dumbness lifted

Words slipping off my tongue

And onto the floor

Pearls skittering into the corners

Of a room filled with shadows

Heart-seeking missiles falling

From my necklace

Married to an indifferent master

Wearing the white of bride, dove, death

Wailing, keening, rocking

Into oblivion

What does peace look like?

Once war has already begun

Hurrying across the doorstep

A hiccup of breath swirling

Late to the party, shattered

When the necklace breaks, the fabric torn

Trailing promises of love and understanding

Broken threads catching on the floorboards

Don’t step there…

It’s a mine field

March 2, 2022