Shush

he speaks loudly 

through dense clouds

through the old echoes

aches in the bones

hurt of a universe un-

feeling worn down

fraying at the seams

she is secure

on the other side

of a warm fire

his words flare burn 

turn to ash

the licking dog is his pillow

a whisker tickles the edge

of his mouth

he wants to say nothing

nothing comes easily

the sun has turned 

a cold shoulder 

the clouds have turned 

a deaf ear

he cracks a smile

he is unreasoning

huddled in the hush

of things

best left

unsaid

jppestana december 3, 2016