the things we don't say
are only met in number
by the things we don't hear
sometimes a whisper
is an inside shout
that's managed
struggled to sneak out
sometimes we rush
to respond
drafting our answers in our heads
don't realise
that's drowning out
the words
that are still being said
sometimes the courage
to say what we feel
disappears
afraid feelings will get hurt
so we stop being real
we hold our breath
bite our tongue
sometimes the silence
is just space where
our thoughts can meet
by looking
in each others' eyes
taking courage
and taking a beat
stop look listen
isn't
just
for
crossing
the
road
Wendy Bremner
