The truth was
in what
wasn’t.
Loud as blood-red stone
paintings, these
sinister, subtle
markings scorched
onto our canyon walls,
these absent tracings
erasing
the story of us.
The not-quite-there-ness
of your hand
in mine, the way
your eyes no longer see me.
The holes
in the wall
hollowed, haunted
by your anger
echoing the silence
of this half-empty room.
The still-made
side of the bed,
the whisper of lies
you never said
out loud.
The deliberate blank
stares
that mean they all
know something
and think
I don’t
have a clue.
The fragile, futile
fallow fact
that I do.
Whimsygizmo's Blog 
Written for a prompt over at We Write Poems:
http://wewritepoems.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/prompt-98-signs/
Also shared over at dVerse for this week’s Open Link Night: http://dversepoets.com/2012/03/20/openlinknight-week-36/
A strong poem with great images. I love the fact that these signs, which you compare to cave paintings, “erase” the story rather than give evidence to its history. Nice last stanza as well. Thanks for sharing.
Betraying my 80’s origins, but…dude. (and yes, ladies can be dudes…dude-osity is all pervasive.)
I want to hug you. You are the first person I’ve found since I’ve been doing this (blogging stuff) that has a grasp on symbolism and semiotics.
“The still-made
side of the bed,
the whisper of lies
you never said
out loud.”
That is a micro-poem all on it’s own. The rhythm is perfect…I’m going to have to try to do something with that rhyme-scheme! If you don’t mind, that is. ;p
Thanks so much. 🙂
KC, I’m a long-standing ‘dude’ of 80’s origins, as well. 😉
I’m in love with the off-kilter rhyme right now. Please, yes, play!
dang…that stings a bit…that i do know…yeah all the clues tend to add up and sit right in the pit of your stomach…nice evocative write…
This is wonderful though stinging… not autobiographical, at least not present day, I assume.
Just exhuming past ghosts again, Mosk. So yes, autobiographical, but no, not present day. 😉
“erasing the story of us” and the signs are always the “hieroglyphics of the heart”. Lots of readers will relate to that story.
“these absent tracings
erasing
the story of us.”
and..”The not-quite-there-ness,” you’ve done it again, De! Loving the flow and well splayed meaning in these signs. Great job!
indeed nice job…..thanks for sharing your words