Words

What you do not say
Is much louder
Than what you do say.

Your words fall
Screeching
Rattling
Like scrap metal
In a bin.

When you speak
I listen to the words
Between your words
To the sounds
You form in the words
You choose.

When you speak
I take great time
To reflect
Because I do not want to
Respond to what you said
But what you meant to say.

I do not want to
Answer your complaint
But the pain
Behind your complaint.

My silence
Is not silence.

My silence is response.