Silence

I do not remember much
from those days.
I remember the faces though,
the worry, and the strain
I was young and did not understand.
I kept asking
"When is Papa coming home?"

Father disappeared.
Some said abandoned us,
but mother did not believe it.
Billy would polish his guns,
and we would talk about
what it would be like
when he came back.
Mom smiled less often
but tried,
while we waited.

Then the monsters came,
just like in nightmares.
They wanted father.
Mom would not tell them anything
not even a word,
and before Billy or I could stop them
they sealed her mouth forever.

Bishop Stone came,
provided for us,
and took Billy away from me.
He taught Billy the cleansing power a gun held
And Billy became an etone
on a holy mission to destroy outer evil

My brother founded an orphanage
for other children who had lost,
and I lived with them.
Billy worked late hours.
Even when he was at home
I rarely saw him.

On the Yggdrasil,
Everyone looks at me
wondering at my silence.
Billy especially with his sad eyes.
I cannot answer him.

What good are words?

What is there ever to say,
but goodbye?


~Rachel Fox '01