where have you been

it surprised
me what i heard
in the silence.
no books, no
music, no phone.
just a deep
quiet. i was
stunned at what
i heard below
the sound of
my own breathing,
my own heart
beat. that whisper.
the small voice
within that
turns a sigh
into joy. where
have you been
and where will
you go now,
questions that
need no answers.