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Silence softly slips in—
a pickpocket of noise—
lifts the clatter of life clean.

It smirks, pockets your punchlines,
leaves you holding breath like debt.

Even your thoughts whisper,
afraid to wake it with ideas—

that smug, velvet void
with better timing than you.

-----



©2026 Christopher Reilley 

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  1. lillianthehomepoet.wordpress.comMarch 23, 2026 at 5:14 PM

    Fabulous! "a pickpocket of noise" --- made me smile.
    Playing with sayings in "lifts the clatter (instead of clutter) of life clean"
    Love the idea of personifiying silence so it's smug and smirking.
    Thanks so much for posting to the prompt! Love it!

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  2. AnonymousMarch 23, 2026 at 5:19 PM

    What a perfect description of silence. Well done!

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  3. AnonymousMarch 23, 2026 at 7:41 PM

    Brilliant poem, oh a pick pocket of noise, where do I find one of those.

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  4. LisaMarch 23, 2026 at 8:57 PM

    Good one. I echo the other comments.

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  5. Ron.March 23, 2026 at 10:54 PM

    Especially dug the pickpocket imagery

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  6. Kim M. RussellMarch 24, 2026 at 4:12 AM

    Well quadrilled, Chris, and I love the ‘pickpocket of noise, the alliterative ‘pockets your punchlines’, and the simile ‘holding breath like debt’.

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  7. shaun/tenzenmenMarch 24, 2026 at 4:20 AM

    I'm feeling sleepy now Chris. Nicely done 👏

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  8. Gillena CoxMarch 24, 2026 at 5:26 AM

    Bravo!!!

    Much love

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  9. Merril D. SmithMarch 24, 2026 at 7:29 AM

    Really like "pickpocket of noise."

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  10. SelmaMarch 24, 2026 at 9:06 AM

    Silence personified. Oh my. Lovely idea. And great persona as a pickpocket. Such a beautiful mind. Thank you. Selma

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  11. AnonymousMarch 24, 2026 at 10:44 AM

    Stellar poem - and 'pickpocket of noise' love it 💞Suzanne

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  12. miss pieMarch 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM

    i can't help but wonder... is this what a comedian experiences after telling a joke that has no reaction... seinfeld... your poem created a world i could see

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  13. Rosemary Nissen-WadeMarch 24, 2026 at 9:15 PM

    Oh, what a delightfully different take on the prompt! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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  14. Yvette M CalleiroMarch 28, 2026 at 10:37 AM

    Fantastic poem, Chris!

    Yvette M Calleiro :-)

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