The Calm and the Quiet

The silence doesn’t make me uncomfortable

The stillness in the air feels like a blanket,

not a noose

Choking on words leads to disaster

when you have nothing real to say,

and I can’t say I enjoy that

-or tolerate receiving it.

Mumbles and grumbles

and stuttering and stumbling

What is it that you’re trying to prove?

That you can make a sound? As if that’s at all impressive

I can yell and scream just like you.

I can laugh and cry,

but I choose not to.

Embrace the peace I have offered you and

find solace in my simple smile.

Feel my hands tighten

around your troublesome neck

and try to understand the gift I am so generously blessing onto you.

There will be no more stammers or sputters,

no more lies to mutter

Just the calm and quiet,

so, save your breath for when you have something worthwhile to say.

Nothing else matters anyway.