Silence Is Aware of Its Surroundings

Silence Is Aware of Its Surroundings

Silence is aware of its surroundings,

peacefully awaiting its intrusion

in moments of reflection

and contemplation about life.

It is not always the case, however,

one could make use of such thinking.

As the sun goes down

and the somber evening awakens

with an innocent yawn

spitting out the faintest of stars

silence pounds its fists on the doors

of vacant houses, its fury indifferent

and far from peaceful, its violence

comes from above the stars,

from dark places it seeks to escape.

It does not tread lightly as it kicks

up the dust that accumulates.

It is not always true.

Silence rests on the wings of birds

and corresponds with the lonely

angel on your shoulder.

They make small talk

and get into heated arguments.

From the wings of birds silence

unleashes its mean soliloquies

until everything becomes quiet.

Silence is aware of its surroundings

and how words do not always matter.

Luis Cuauhtémoc Berriozábal

Luis Cuauhtémoc Berriozábal, born in Mexico, lives in California and works in the mental health field in Los Angeles. His first book of poems, Raw Materials, was published by Pygmy Forest Press. His poetry has been published by Alternating Current Press, Deadbeat Press, New Polish Beat, Poet's Democracy, and Ten Pages Press. His latest chapbook, Make the Light Mine, was published by Kendra Steiner Editions.