Just because I am quiet does not imply that my mind is void of thoughts. There are vast depths hidden beneath this stillness, powerful currents that clash and intertwine, narratives accumulating pressure against the delicate boundaries of control. I choose my words carefully, similar to how one assesses glass before it breaks—not due to weakness, but because of accuracy. I pay attention, as the universe unfolds for those who are patient, and I have come to realize that not everything that is said is truly listened to. Silence does not mean absence. It is not a form of giving up. It represents the moment of stillness before a thunderbolt illuminates the sky. I hold onto phrases that remain unvoiced, whole galaxies that lack names, and when the time comes for me to share them, you will understand that I was never devoid of substance. ©️ James Michael 2025