outside
the evening breeze freshens
as the copper windchimes
hanging over the slate breezeway
ring from time to time
swinging from the blue shingled eaves
just beyond
the big roan
rustles in his stall
as the faded red slats
of the weathered horse barn
creak in the gentle zephyr
inside
at the green oaken table
we sit with dinner
and complacency
there is little resonance
we care for one another
our love goes without saying
meal finished
we clear the table
to the clinks and clanks
of porcelain dishes
and sterling silverware
being rinsed and placed
in the stainless steel sink
we converse very little
no need
we know each other
we know without saying
task done
we part quietly
me
to my rosewood desk
to my keyboard
you
to your tan leather chair
to your book
outside
sunset softly shades golden
the side deck
as come easy sounds
of settling horses
content from final feeding
tubular bells lilt quietly
in gathering twilight
inside a shadow of indifference
blankets subtle electronic ticks
as I type in silence
I think about the times we’ve hurt each other
caused each other thoughtless pain
but that carelessness has been forgiven
we are bound
one to the other
a bond that goes without saying
outside
a brisking wind greets day’s end
chimes vigorously keep pace
inside
a turbulent uncertainty
begins to stir
as the more I type
I wonder
are we really happy
surely we are happy
that goes without saying
that must go without saying
doesn’t it
but why is it we do not say
we wear these masks of coy silence
to hide the vulnerable face of love
how dangerously foolish we’ve become
it’s then
my heart wants to call out
to reach across the soundlessness
to rouse you from your pulp and plot
talk with me
I lift my mask
see me now
see me new
talk with me
I can still surprise
let us speak
what is not spoken
unmask what lies within our hearts
unmask
and talk
before our love is gone
without ever saying
outside
copper chimes
ring out in the darkness
inside
steel silence
sounds aloud
