-- The Many Shades of Silence --

by John Herlihy

The absolute quality of silence exhibits many shadows and shades;

In the absence of silence a ghostly presence wanders and wades.

We think of silence as absolute without any semblance of sound;

We rarely think of silence as nuanced in ways that are profound.

Thru the spectrum of stained glass glorious rays of light stream;

While a calligraphy of smokey incense wafts through light beams.

An aura of silence fills a church nave as hushed, sacred presence;

Votive candles burn brightly, silence of the flame as quintessence.

The silence of two brothers who for years have never spoken;

Silence that raises questions why the commitment was broken.

The silence among strangers inspires feelings of embarrassment;

The silence among friends signals true feelings of contentment.

In darkness, the silence of falling snow takes away our breath;

The utter silence of a church bell recalls the sanctity of death.

The silence of a forest offers a sense of harmony to the ears;

The silence of the orbiting earth echoes music of the spheres.

The silence seems beautiful from the one who patiently waits;

Whereas the silence of a pent-up anger feels as heavy weights.

Let us not forget the kind of silence instructive of tacit assent;

Nor the silence of satisfaction in knowing what a person meant.

Beyond all the shades of silence lies a silence absolutely pure;

The silence found in quiet solitude our tender hearts to lure.

Behind every spoken word lies a silence of unsounded breath;

Within the embrace of absolute silence lies the silence of death.

- - - - - -

Copyright © John Herlihy

Wednesday 27 March 2024