“Unmask” by: Maxence
the evening breeze freshens
as the copper windchimes
hanging from the eaves
ring from time to time
just beyond
the big roan
rustles in his stall
as the faded red slats
of the weathered horse barn
quietly creak
inside
at the oak table
we sit with dinner
and complacency
there is little resonance
we care for one another
our love goes without saying
meal finished
we clear the table
to the clinks and clanks
of china and sterling
being rinsed
in the stainless steel sink
we converse very little
no need
we know each other
we know without saying
task done
we part quietly
me
to my desk
to write
you
to your chair
to read
outside
golden sunset
softly shades
the side deck
to easy sounds
of settling horses
content from final feeding
tubular bells lilt quietly
in gathering twilight
inside
soft shadows
blanket subtle activity
we are comfortable
in our quiet bond
that goes without saying
outside
a wakening wind
greets day’s end
chimes vigorously keep pace
inside
turbulent uncertainty
stirs
as I type
I wonder
are we really happy
surely we are
that goes without saying
but why is it
we do not say
we wear these masks of coy silence
to hide the vulnerable face of love
how dangerously foolish we’ve become
it’s then
my heart wants to call out
to rouse you
from your pulp and plot
talk with me
I lift my mask
see me now
see me new
talk with me
I can still surprise
let us say
what is not said
unmask our hearts
and talk
before our love
slips away
without ever saying
outside
copper
chimes in the darkness
inside
silence
rings aloud
~ ~ ~
rob kistner © 2021
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So vulnerable, really laying your soul out there! I find this to be evocative and truly emotional in the beauty, content, honesty, and wanting to reach for the voice within the silence. Quite beautiful in how you communicate these ideas and themes, Rob! I think I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again: I admire your raw tones in your writing, how it prevails through each word or phrase, that one cannot help but hear its honesty and utter emotion.
Such stunning work yet again. I hope you’re having a great start of the new year!
Thank you so much Lucy, I appreciate, and am humbled by your gracious words.
I echo Lucy’s wonderful sentiment …..
Thank you Helen!
I knew I would love your words at the first stanza, words wonderfully descriptive, setting the scene and you took me there.
As I read further, I recognised this place, this wonderful comfortable place where words are unimportant, where love is known (and felt) without them.
And then the uncertainty… disquiet… and the wondering – could I be wrong… does he know I love him?
(He does.)
A magnificent write Rob.
Anna :o]
Wow, thank you so much Anna! I am very leased this resonated for you!
Very touchingly tentative piece, Rob, perfectly summed in your 2 closing tercets. Peace, Brother.
Thank you Ron… 🙂
Silence on both sides?
Could these be words inside of both sides?
Familiarity can unfortunately breed dangerous, toxic silence Ken.
I so love this poem, Rob! Especially moved by; “let us say
what is not said, unmask our hearts and talk before our love
slips away without ever saying.” Yes 🙂
Thank you Sanaa. This piece was inspired by Leon Russell’s beautiful song.
Thoroughly enjoyed watching as you read today, brought everything to life, real, personal.
Glad you enjoyed Helen, thank you!
I’ll tell you what, brother, this piece rings out more profoundly as I read it, even beyond your wonderful recital of it. Sorry. something was chewing on you, but glad you made your appearance for the virtual visit. Most always we’re on the same page intellectually; that’s a comfort.
Thank you Glenn. I have nit been in a great frame of mind – though overjoyed by human beings now occupying the White House.
I love the bell rings against the quiet and the questions we all ask that surely stir.
Thank you Colleen… 🙂
Rob, I know you based this on Leon’s wonderful tune, if it is at all personal, I would print this poem out and hand it to your lovely wife. She very well may be feeling the same way. It was really good to hear you read it today. Just read the comment at the pub that you weren’t at home in your studio and so didn’t feel as comfy as usual.
I liked how the continuing parallels in nature flowed down the page with the relationship dynamics.
No Lisa, this was primarily inspired by Leon.
The closing is so well done! Very touching piece. Take care, Rob 🙂
Thank you M Jay!
you depicted the scene of comfortable domestic senses so graphically and then tumbled me with your raw honesty … you express your emotions so well in writing! I pray you do so verbally also … take care kind gent.
Things can improve now … it’s all turning a corner
Thank you Kate, and things are definitely going to get better!
A very moving depiction of a long-time love. We are silent because we think we are comfortable, but perhaps even after all that time we are afraid to be vulnerable. I loved these lines:
let us say
what is not said
unmask our hearts
and talk
before our love
slips away
without ever saying
Made me think of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXKezS7tTRY
Thank you so much Ingrid, and I love Joans song — it hits the mark!
Simply brilliant (as usual) from start to finish.
This was so cute:
I loved it.
Yours,
David
Thank you David, very much. This poem required alot of editing. It is a big poem in length, but it is about half the size of the 1st draft. This one posred was the 7th draft. Ironically those two lines you referenced went through about 10 drafts to the simplicity in contrast they became. I felt them to be key lines to establish the characters.
A poignant piece that I think many of us can relate to. Nice sound imagery! /peace, Jason
Thank you Jason!
Apologies for reading late, but after the live OLN, I was so tired, and we had the electrician in all yesterday to sort out the heating – there is still none in the study or dining room! However, your poem has breathed its warm and welcome breeze on me, Rob. This is a beautiful love poem to your lucky wife. I enjoyed the contrast of the outdoor sounds: the windchimes, a sound I love, the rustle of the big roan in his stall, and the creak of the weathered horse barn, with the inside, where it is companionably quiet and words aren’t needed, just the ‘clinks and clanks’ of washing-up. I love the reminders of the outside and the way the poem returns to the inside and the comfort of the quiet bond, while the brevity of life nags in the background.
I am so very glad this worked for you Kim. This is where I find myself the last couple months. My depression is raging, and I am not much of a conversationalist these recent months. Trying to come out of it. First time I admitted it. It is late, snd it is a little of the ambian talking — but I keep slippin’ into a very blue funk. I love her for 33 years now, so I’m workin’ on it to get out from under this blue cloud.
This was very moving, Rob. I could imagine the scene–the house, the two people, the sounds around them, but their silence. . .I enjoyed your reading very much, too.
Thank you Merril. Sadly, such a scene is far too often played out behind closed doors.