So many empty spaces between
the words I chose to say
and the words I write do a frog-leap
over the ones that cannot stay.
Is it manners, good breeding, or
a simple want to hide
the words that are too heavy or sad
if they are not kept inside?
Empty spaces are filled with the shocking,
the strange, terrible thoughts we think,
not the pretty, petted, happy ones
kept ready in a blink.
Empty spaces are not all that I am,
for coiling in darkness they stay,
and sanity, happiness and goodness hope
they never see the light of day.
Note: This piece in no way resembles my life!! I was going for a dark bit of creepy, scary and insane.
Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved. Picture by Copilot and myself.
Sarah’s prompt: Write a poem or story which explores the idea of empty spaces. The mood can be whatever flavor you choose; ’tis the season to be spooky, but there’s infinite positive potential in empty spaces as well.
