Cauterize

The furnace doesn't work
but our house is still
burning down
"This is fine,"
we say calmly
to ourselves
We dare not let
the other hear
our voice
and while the
flames rise
ever higher
we stay with
our tones low
hushed
Neither of us
wants to be
the first one to scream

Author's Note

Debated calling this one "Nous Brûlerons," which is french for "We Will Burn." I went with "Cauterize" instead because it fit the mood better -- the silence is preventing the communication from becoming infected.

Reviews

[JR]

As far as title choice, yeah, Cauterize gives a more healing tone, while Nous Brulerons would be more sinister... As far as the poem goes, that one sinks in deep. I have been in many a relationship like this, and they always end as a standoff, with no one willing to be the first to break the silence. You nailed the metaphor in your typical atypical way, lol, and that's what always draws me in. No words wasted, I always appreciate how sparse and clean your poems are.

[R.E. Ray]

Cauterizing not only protects the body but in this case might protect others in the "burning" house. An original and effective use of a word I've never seen in a poem, and a darn good poem. I think you've captured a mood and emotion many have experienced in such relationships. Sometimes we have so much invested in the relationship, we can't seem to leave the burning house. A good write, Lydia.