The Quiet of Silence

by John Herlihy

Silence makes herself known by an uncanny quiet,
Like gentle wind or falling snow, arriving as if by stealth.
Unlike sound, and far less like noise that bursts in like a riot,
Silence arrives as dawn light unveils its luminous wealth.

Silence allows us to hear what cannot be heard,
To imagine sweet melodies that cannot be sung.
Silence reduces all sound down to a single word
That, once spoken, tells us silence has begun.

Silence allows us to see what can’t clearly be seen—
In the shade of a tree or the center of a rock.
A whisper of meaning, subtle and serene,
A skeleton key with power to open every lock.

Give me silence so I may listen to secrets untold,
Withdraw within to wonder, to imagine without cease.
Silence, only silence, as its mysteries quietly unfold,
Leading us gently into the sacred realm of peace.

There goes silence once again, taking her leave.
How I hope she soon returns so I may listen again.
For now, I note the comfort of sound and do not grieve—
Silence will return once more; I know not where or when.

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Copyright © John Herlihy
Sunday, 1 February 2026