Stone Deaf
What if we told the truth
and no one listened?
The air fouled with the breath
of liars turned hope sour
like clabbered milk
stored in a stone jar
Truth was once was sweet
6 thoughts on "Stone Deaf"
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I really love this one. The language is incredibly visceral–the use of foul as a verb, clabbered in general–and especially the feelings brought on by a stone jar: cold, smooth, primal. And such an odd image, being filled with milk.
Thematically, the poem subverts the classic if a tree fell idea by saying that the truth still does exist, but turns. It’s at once a melancholic and frustrating concept, and feels very accurate
Thank you for your very kind comments. I think the stone jar image came from my memories of my grandmother storing food in heavy ceramic crocks.
Interesting simile, very fitting for sentiment of poem.
Wow. Yes, “What if . . .?” So concise with so much emotion.
Thank you for your support, my friend.
Title drew me in…
yes! to the use of fouled as verb:
The air fouled with the breath
of liars turned hope sour