You Didn't Leave Loudly: Poems on Almost Love, Silence, And Choosing Yourself by Richard Howardson

You Didn't Leave Loudly: Poems on Almost Love, Silence, And Choosing Yourself by Richard Howardson

 "You didn't leave Loudly" is a beautiful collection of poems parted in three sections. It empowers the reader to dive deep in emotions and feel the essence of true love. Each poem follows a short reflection or a gentle question posed for the reader. 

I liked all the poems but " Not the END- Just the Truth" is my favourite poem. It made me feel the essence of accepting the reality and not running from it. The depiction of her presence was merely a chapter that the poet acknowledged as gone and learnt as a lesson. But still he believes in love.

Verses from the poem that piqued me:

🌺"And if they never come back-

      that is not proof you weren't enough.

      It is proof that you were not ready.

      You are not foolish for loving.

       You are not weak for hoping."

🌺" Almost" is confusing.

      There's no clear beginning.

      No clear ending."

🌺 "Closure is easier when there's clear ending.

     Silence leaves you suspended--

     Not together, not apart.

     And that space 

     can feel endless."

The author has meticulously weaved the emotions of a lover and how he feels when his loved one leaves him. Each emotion is depicted with rawness and devoid of any extra flavours.

Overall, it is a heart touching poem.