the sorrow of silence

in hopeless disbelief

my thoughts do a backwards somersault

                              to another time

when doors opened to treasures

                         and stairs were taken by twos

when towers came tumbling down

                    but could easily be rebuilt

when burgundy was the color of the wine you drank

              not the hue of your death

in vino veritas?

hell, maybe i should have had a glass

i had handfuls of sun to bring you

                       yet you could not accept them

so often we danced through our thoughts

          but the last dance was yours alone

the air is still now

i listen for hope’s melody

                   but the sorrow of silence

                               suspends me over reality’s jagged rocks

stu berney

9/2/36 - 3/14/15

 

Reviews

[redzone]

(Lydi) what a beautiful eulogy. Your heart beats within every syllable. I think the flow of words, their structure all add to this poem. Here is raising a glass of vino to a life lived and a person deeply missed ... and yes, "in vino veratis". Hope you are good Lydi!! Your poem is "extra nice".... redzone

[Lydia Shutter]

Curt, thank you very much for reading and reviewing this one. I am okay, but every loss of a friend takes its toll. I know you understand.....Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You paint a sorrowful picture here Lydi which you describe with such depth of emotion shadowed with pangs of regret. I know the feeling as we are both at the same empty platform waiting for the train that keeps being cancelled.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for your compassionate review, John. He was a very close friend and we miss him a lot. Lydi**

[Miss Sharon]

(my thoughts do a backwards somersault to another time when doors opened to treasures and stairs were taken by twos) Beautiful and vivid imagery here Lydi. The lightness of these lines is in stark contrast to the more somber tone of the remaining verse which makes the reading all the more enjoyable for me. Brava as always my dear friend! ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Sharon. I have such happy memories of this friend.....even after his death, he makes me smile. Lydi**

[Cassie]

I like backwards somersaults, you are such a great writer my friend and when i grow up in poetry, i would like to be lyd

[Lydia Shutter]

You honor me so, Cassie. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[Tom]

Life indeed is transient and nothing lasts forever and though the memories of many past good times are in sharp contrast to the present day, that surreal sadness which looms and lingers like an all consuming, omnipresent ogre is difficult to shake off !

But take heart Lydia, you are already standing up and countering this hideous beast's soul sapping presence by writing such a deeply heartfelt, emotive poem in tribute to a lost friend......Stay strong my dear friend, your creative character is your greatest ally and will greatly assist you through this also transient dark time, as the glorious sunshine already begins to breaks through and once again illuminate your vibrant soul !

[Lydia Shutter]

Tom, you are such a smart one! Yes, words are my therapy....and I channel all my emotions into them. It is my coping mechanism. Thank you for understanding and for your compassionate review. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

Your words are filled with emotion Lydi...so beautiful and heartfelt. May hopes melody find you amongst those jagged rocks and leave a smile of memories to warm your heart.

Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, memories are precious. Thank you, Julie. Lydi**

[Melinda McQueen]

I felt the emotion in which this was written. I like the flow, it cascades through it.
A good write.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Melinda. Lydi**

[ANTO]

in vino veritas? hell, maybe I should have had a glass. - says so so much Lydia.
We often pay lip service to what it means to be a confidante - for fear our true thoughts will cause a fuss or make us look small in the eyes of those who love us - so we put on 'the mask'.
So sorry for your loss Lydia.
(hug)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you for your kind review. Lydi**

[Ana D S M]

Wow, Lydi. This is absolutely breathtaking, despite the sadness in it.
So beautifully written.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Lilith. Lydi**

[~]

An amazing poem that takes the breath away and hurts with the heart that is home alone.. Vivid imagery gets the mind racing, and yet the sound of silence prevails. Loved it!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much for your lovely review. Lydi**