Things I’ll Never Say

By Athens Ramseyer

My silence is involuntary; only words remain.

What I lack in cohesion and convergence

made up for in the slightly possible idea

I can achieve anything real, except for being adored.

As I lie here, in dwindling comfort,

the lights flicker above me, recreating shadows from the past.

Thoughts erode my skin,

stolen moments haunting my soul

and distorted images of passion sickening my sanity.

There were places we would go at midnight

there were secrets that nobody else would know.

You are the breathless,

involuntary language of a woman I loved,

the broken letters of rushed speech

when hearts cannot contain

their unyielding passion,

when they eagerly hope

for romantic reciprocation.

Expensive words to fill the air

that resonate in the lofty reaches

of your highest love.

Uneven specks of light, fall gently on the lids,

illuminating the sky ‐ I somehow dare to dream,

when the sun eventually rises, erasing every shadow from

the abandoned labyrinth of my aching mind

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“I speak of love through heartbreak, I speak of it with honor and elegance. I can see how this can get confusing for others and I don’t expect everyone to come to an understanding as to why I embrace it, romanticize it, and exalt

it through all my means of art and social media. My reasoning, understood or not, is because I see the divine purpose beneath the fault, the wound, the weakness. I see the smiling face beneath the mask. I believe in its goodness

and I appreciate its challenge. I have come to a place in life now where I realize challenge is sometimes much more brutal than expected – but my master is a cruel one and my God’s crown casts the darkest shadow. The blackest

and darkest Self is often the hardest to face, to look into its eye, that deep void, and speak back to it with courage – there is the challenge. Going into the darkness and embracing it is not about allowing oneself to sulk or

experience further trauma – but about devoting time to ones spiritual growth and self discovery. Going inward, weapons down, logic put to rest, ready for the embrace. Everyday I am learning to be with my life, feeling the

nothingness, until the doorway to greater understanding opens and welcomes me. I am calling it forth to gather the wisdom necessary to produce my unique piece in this world.” — Athens Ramseyer on Instagram:

@athensramseyer