Word Wreck

You sat next to me, in the car, describing

loudly, about how outrageous the 

posting is, accusing you of being careless

by traveling during these pandemic times.

I asked how long has this person 

known you, and you responded 

“I only met her once.” I suggested

you could just ignore her, or consider

that perhaps she doesn’t know another

way to say she cares about you.

My words agitate you further and

yelling, you say there is no reason to 

continue to talking to me, I can stop 

and let you out of the car. 

This is the first time you have spoken

to me like this ~ how did we get to this

intersection ~ wrecking any opportunity

for dialogue, conversation?

The silence that settles between us

feels like a balm, yet too weak to 

ease my feelings. I breathe into myself,

I breathe into you. 

I let the words of silence to say

what there is no room to say, 

no way to say, to speak into your pain, 

and mine.

—Martha Ward