Written for Living Poetry. Bartholomew asks
us to write an “is” and “is not” list poem.
Here’s where the prompt took me.

Silence is not emptiness.
It is the held breath before the answer.
Silence is not agreement.
It is sometimes the loudest refusal in the room.
Silence is not forgetting.
It is the name you carry but cannot say aloud.
Silence is not distance.
it is the intimate warmth of closeness.
Silence is not absence.
It is presence without the noise of proof.
Silence is not surrender.
It is knowing which battles dissolve
when you stop feeding them words.
Silence is not cold.
It is the blanket pulled up
after everything has been said.
Silence is not the end of a conversation.
It is often where the real one begins.
NAR©2026
This is “Silent Lucidity” by Queensrÿche
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

Nicely done 👍
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Thanks much
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Brilliant poem, Nancy. I love your song choice – this was new to me
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Thanks so much, Lisa. I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed both my poem and the song.
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Excellent work! I especially liked the final two stanza. Thanks for writing to my prompt!
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Thanks so much! It’s always a pleasure 😊
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A beautiful poem Nance and I love the ending stanza – also the track is lovely I’d not heard it before🥰
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Thanks, Ange, and I’m always happy to introduce new music 🎶💙
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You make some very good points, Nancy!
A great track.
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I’m glad you think so, my friend. Thank you 😌
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Love your poem Nancy
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Thank you, dear Sadje 🥰
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You’re very welcome my dear friend 😍
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Ooooo a wonderful poem- and Geoff Tate? This is how we should start every morning!
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Thanks, Jodi. I agree; love this song!
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There’re a thousand phrases for the word “silence”, and your poem is an excellent example my friend …
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Thanks so much, my dear friend. It will come as no surprise to you that I almost went with Manchester Orchestra. Wonderful track. 🎶💙
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Oh, it’s a fav’ of mine, the lyrics are superb 🎶🥰
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Love this. 💞
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Thank you, Suzanne. I’m so happy to know that 🥰
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Beautiful Nance, so well penned, awesomee! 🫶🫶💜💜
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Thanks so much, my friend. ❤️
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That song gave “Pink Floyd ” vibes ❤️
A beautiful written poem 👏
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I’m definitely feeling that vibe, Maggie. It’s a great song. Thanks so much 😌
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