Too Loud to Hear

A violent silence is on its way
to sheet the horizon
in a gray curtain of rain,
to draw the light to rest
and the world to night.

A silence felt in bones
like the deep rumble of thunder,
humming through the soil and rock,
but never bringing on the storm
that would cleanse the earth,
and wash away the rot.

A scream eating calm
muting songs to heaven,
hobbling the reeling mystics
flailing at judgement, already fixed.

The hangman's hood will cover my eyes
catching breath in my throat,
letting seconds pass into days.
Pulse pummeled clockwork bringing nothing close
but the dark lonely space of the grave.

Oh, to hold the memories longer!
Joy filled moments slipping away
in equal measure with their coming.
My eyes could have easily filled with tears
as my mouth with smile.
The small hand slipping from mine
even in the happiness of its warmth.
A broken promise from a broken man
who should have never been trusted with lines.

I wish I could stay to plead my case
to her, to God, to time.
Tormented by these stronger men,
such seemingly easy work
in a world I do not understand.
Something forgivable like insanity
to make me a better man.

Like wings in the night they surround me,
clicking and swirling around my fall.
Tides, and thunder, and screaming
so loud there's finally no sound at all.