If a Heart Breaks in the Closet and No One's Around to Hear it, Does it Make a Sound?

IF A HEART BREAKS IN THE CLOSET AND NO ONE’S AROUND TO HEAR IT, DOES IT MAKE A SOUND?

By Ariel Smith

PART 1

Crumbs-- their simple existence in literally any location in my home, misplaced and uncomfortable to be around; dried up glue sticks, full but useless, devoid of purpose and now utterly disposable-- just like the people whose hands hold them; something that’ll keep the used tissues and nail clippings company as they collect in the trash can; the moment right before the sun sets, before the sky turns pretty colors and all the lights come on when it’s almost okay but isn’t, when the threat of the impending night is more terrifying than the night itself; looking for someone in the dark that you must hide in the light; never seeing the light.

PART 2

--Remembering the color of her bed sheets while my mother asks me about my day and me knowing full well that if I utter a single word I’ll cry; staying silent; shutting the doors and locking the closet while my mother asks me what I want for dinner at the same moment I see a car that looks just like hers drive by; saying “whatever you want”; wanting my mom to hug me but telling her “I’m not hungry,” instead.