The Silence of Our Lives

by Larry Chamberlin

When we met we were silent
- a glance,
- a lingering gaze
- a smile
- returned

Then I went to you and silence
- was uncomfortable
- was replaced with chatter
- was eliminated with interest
- returned with comfort

We came together and silence
- marked intimacy
- accompanied long walks
- meant hands held in sleep
- returned loving smiles

We fought and silence
- met fury with cold shoulders
- meant the back of a slammed door
- greeted an empty morning
- returned letters unopened

We made up and silence
- was your tears against my chest
- was long eye contact over dinner
- was holding each other on the couch
- returned with sleep in each other's arms