Silence

the utter absence of noise
ringing loudly
in wide open ears
screaming
drawing out the emptiness
in the cornucopia of murmurs
a myriad of voices
shouting in whispers
all too clear to my ears
uncomfortable
unbreakable
protected by devastation
the coy smile of the cat
that holds my tongue hostage
catches my eye
infuriating
no words come from moving lips
cannot speak
cannot eat
cannot sleep
as the silence pounds painfully in my ears
in the midst of chaotic peace