Embrace the silence
Her dream
To be allowed
To listen
Not forced
To pry her jaw open
Pouring forth thoughts
Of Grapes of Wrath
While actually
Daydreaming

Of a drippy, cheese pizza slice
Done curly fries

How much space is there for both
Half formed spits
Fully formed desires
And quiet.

Embrace the silent
She repeated, mantra style
While quietly slurping
Spoons of soups
A stranger
Crunched
Over toasted bread.

Questions?
She had no questions.

Job
Favorite movie
hobbies all asked
Answered by stranger in 2 words.

He didn’t ask her.
She didn’t answer.

Embrace the silence.
Baby asleep
1 hour straight
Screaming.

Colic? Overtired?
But now her silence wraps her head
Like a cooling blanket
Calming that Vagus nerve.
Quiet tickles her outer ear
And thoughts release
About work projects
And warm baths.
The sheets touching her skin
Registers.
She feels the fabric
Touching the seam.

Hold the quiet.