Inhale The Heights

Now, I’m actually fine, so no smart-arsed comments about losing the plot. I had a wee conversation in the comments section with John over at JMC813. He wrote a fabulous poem called Silent Scream which rather put me in mind of a time I wanted to…well, never mind what. If you want to know, visit John’s. It’s all there in the comments.

Unspeak the words.

Unwrite.

Return to underground passages,

cavern deep,

where echoes scream

for certifiable silence.

quieten then

voice

into

nothing.

No asylum

in complacent,

knowing

nods.

But fear and terror

where madness breeds

among misunderstood.

So write then.

Speak the words.

Climb to the mountains,

unstrangle the scream,

heavy air freed

to thinning ether.

Inhale the heights,

expunging darkness

with light.

31 thoughts on “Inhale The Heights”

  1. There’s a fine line here. Is it always prudent to be so candid and honest, or is merely safer to tred the well worn pathways which are expected to follow? Either way one could be considered to be slightly insane. I am reminded of the following quote from ‘Catch-22’ –

    ‘There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to.’
    Take care, Chris

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    1. Oh, what a great quote! I’d forgotten all about that book. I haven’t read it since I was in my teens or twenties. And that’s it exactly, isn’t it?! Thanks for reminding me of that. Must see if I can get it on Kindle for my holidays. 🙂 x

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  2. Such good petry that even the title could stand alone as a poem . . . “Inhale The Heights.” Wonderful!

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    1. Thank you so much. 🙂 It must have been all that talk of ciggies in my earlier one got me inhaling! But I do like it myself. I think you can stand atop a mountain and inhale the whole spectacle. Shouldn’t have mentioned the cigs now. 😉

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      5. Not by a long shot! I’m pretty quiet in person, but I can prattle on-and-on writing, (not necessarily a good thing in my case 😉

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      6. Oh, I can’t claim to be quiet. A bit anti-social which is odd given how much I like to talk. So we’re a mixed bunch. All to the good. Makes for interesting diversity.
        And I haven’t read anything of yours that I didn’t like so we’ll prattle on in our ways. Mine being a bit louder. But you can’t hear me from here…I don’t think. 😉

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      7. That’s funny! Truthfully, I’m pretty anti-social myself – practically a recluse, driven by my PTSD mostly – but I try to be polite, anyway 🙂

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      8. I’ve no excuses. I just don’t like everybody! No, that came out wrong. What I mean is I don’t like everybody I meet well enough to engage with them. At least, not without a hauf under my belt! I have to talk to colleagues and parents and other people that I don’t have a choice in so when I do get the choice I like it to be my choice, if you know what I mean.
        PTSD sounds like a total bummer from everything I’ve read and heard. There are quite a few bloggers I follow who have either PTSD or Fibro or depression or some form of debility that limits their pleasure in life and it must be so frustrating not to mention painful in some cases. A wee bundle of sunshine in my blog following as you can tell! No, really, what amazes me is the spirit some have in spite of or because of (?) their hurting. I don’t think there’s one I follow who doesn’t have such gumption that I’m drawn to their fortitude and humour.
        And as for being polite, you’re obviously of my generation. I would have had a toe in my arse if I’d been anything other than polite. Costs nothing as they say. Well, ok, sometimes a sore lip while you bite down on it. But apart from that…;)

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      9. Haha! Yes, I have all of those things, (Fibro and depression just being two of the many co-morbid symptoms of PTSD, along with a plethora of physical issues it carries, too). Generally, I avoid medicating most of it – just try to keep my head somewhere else . . . like writing, but it will creep into that, too! Yes, polite. I grew up in the American South – “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am” and always hold the door for folks, and guests are to lack for nothing when under your roof. I turned fifty at the beginning of this year, so we be of similar generations.

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      10. 53 here. But I’ve been inverting the numbers since I turned it in January. So I’m good with 35!
        For someone suffering so many ailments my hat goes off to you. That’s what I mean about the fortitude of so many. I’ve had depression in the past but to have so many things compete for your essence is a hellish thought to me.
        I hope you’re feeling a bit better now after your op. Stoicism in the face of pain (and helluva funny recount !) marks you out as one of the strong.

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  3. “unstrangle the scream,”
    I love this line. So powerful in it’s simplicity. Very strong piece, and I am so glad our conversation led to this awesome work. Thanks for the link as well. You are a generous artist.

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    1. Not at all. It’s thanks to you, John. I wasn’t even thinking of screaming this morning. 🙂 You made me! Well, made me remember. I enjoyed our wee chat. And it’s through others ideas generate. So hats off to you for the inspiration. I’m glad you enjoyed it.x

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  5. Wonderful, A-M!!! I like this part best: “where echoes scream for certifiable silence”

    This reminds me maybe it’s time to post some poetry again one of these days. I have one called Huling Sigaw that means “last cry/scream” but it can very well mean “silent scream” as well.

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