memories age badly,
turning brittle like dead butterfly wings,
flowers fallen long before them,
songs packed into the dust;
but whispers swallow sound and sighs,
growing, growing every day,
what you said in my ear that night,
how long before it becomes a scream?
Quadrille: a 44 word poem
Linked to the Dverse Poets (Prompt: Whisper)
THOUGHT PURGE 
Interesting insight.
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Thank you 🙂
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Oooh, this has such a powerful bite to it!
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Love the idea of hidden memories suddenly screaming to be dealt with. A psychological phenomenon that isn’t very pleasant. Wonderful quadrille. ❤
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Thanks Olga.
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A very powerful write Rajani, ‘whispers swallow sound and sighs’ is so poignant.
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Thank you.
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You had be right at the beginning with those poignant opening lines and then you dragged me along to the finish with the almost-bitter question. Wonderful.
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Thanks Victoria.
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Killer lines..whispers swallowing is sublime..i imagine the scream as silent penetrating one…wonderful poetry.
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Exactly… thanks Paul.
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Hmmm, quite a disquieting poem – what is whispered, what turns into a scream, would we behave differently if we knew at the time which memory will turn into which?
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That is such an interesting thought..how would we behave if we knew! Thanks so much.
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Written very well….My nature seeks the warm and positive memories — those that sit within the chrysallis and rise to the heavens in grace. 🙂
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Thanks Lillian.
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The past whispers in a breath that demands recognition! This truly brings that out wonderfully, thot!
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Thanks Walter.
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the last line was powerful..
somehow ended up reminding me of ‘The Fight Song’ (one match to make an explosion!)
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Thank you 🙂
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I like how the memory of something whispered can become a “scream” even when so much is forgotten.
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Thank you 🙂
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No doubt memories are both bitter and sweet..!
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Thanks Sanaa..
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Oh yes, those whispers get louder while memories fade.
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They do..thanks Bryan.
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For me your poem came as a sucker punch – you have hit the spot so well and described what happened to my mum – but in the end she couldn’t whisper or scream.
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Sorry if it reminded you of your mom’s exprience… sometimes poems unintentionally touch a raw nerve. Happier poems next time from me!
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😊
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Relatable! That question in the end left me in a deep void, thinking..”Indeed, how long?”
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Thank you Maria 🙂
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Ooh, love this:
“whispers swallow sound and sighs”
And that ending! Definitely scream it and get it out of your system. I’m listening.
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Thanks so much 🙂🙂
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I guess if we ignore them, they get louder. Some even turn to stones coming at us.
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True! Thanks for stopping by.
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oh. the twist. wow. such power!
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Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.
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you’re welcome!
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Wow. Great piece. I especially like the first two lines: “memories age badly,/turning brittle like dead butterfly wings,”
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Thank you 🙂
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This immediately drew me in as well, and he last line was unexpected! Very moving, lovely poem.
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Thanks so much Kay. 🙂
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Memories can become twisted…well-writ!
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Thank you Lynn.
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“whispers swallow sound and sighs” — whew. This is just perfection.
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Thanks so much 🙂
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That ending line just jolts me ~ Love the twist of the memories fading badly ~
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Thanks Grace.
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I simply love the way you pull me into this poem… brilliant.
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Thank you Bjorn.
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Powerful words, wow~! It is good that a few memories age sweetly, to help us bear the others
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Thank you 🙂
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