Breath & Shadow
Fall 2012 - Vol. 9, Issue 4
"We Don’t Speak"
written by
Jason Teeple
Verbal overshadowing of visual memories:
Somethings are better left unsaid.
Sitting on the edge, peering into and across
Canyonlands
Climbing through alpine meadows, filled
with fragrant lupine and receding glaciers.
Watching fog roll into the San Francisco bay
On top of Mount Tam on a late Summer afternoon.
Winding through smoke, white knuckled on the
Scenic parkway in the Smokies.
We shared these and didn't talk about them
Side by side witnesses.
I can describe them, take pictures, write about them
But what formalisms and theories miss
Is the importance of your being there with me, together.
Memories are stronger because we both have them
Us - I, you, me, us
These memories celebrate us.
If we separate, if I lose you, let you go
or drive you away.
Where do the memories go? Are they mine, are they yours?
Are they lost, overshadowed by our separation?
In making a choice do you weigh the importance of these memories?
Jason Teeple has a Bachelors in English literature and a Master's in natural language processing. He is disabled with brain and spinal tumors. He lives in New Jersey with his family. Some of his poetry has been published in online journals. He started the Barefoot Review, an online poetry and prose publication for people who have faced serious illness in their lives. It is also a place for caretakers, families, significant others and friends to write about their experiences and relationship to the person.