Silence

Silence written by Walter de la Mare

The Listeners and Other Poems (1912)

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With changeful sound life beats upon the ear;
  Yet, striving for release,
  The most seductive string's
    Sweet jargonings,
    The happiest throat's
  Most easeful, lovely notes
Fall back into a veiling silentness.

Even 'mid the rumour of a moving host,
    Blackening the clear green earth,
    Vainly 'gainst that thin wall
        The trumpets call,
        Or with loud hum
    The smoke-bemuffled drum:
From that high quietness no reply comes forth.

When, all at peace, two friends at ease alone
    Talk out their hearts - yet still,
    Between the grace-notes of
        The voice of love
        From each to each
    Trembles a rarer speech,
And with its presence every pause doth fill.

Unmoved it broods, this all-encompassing hush
    Of one who stooping near,
    No smallest stir will make
        Our fear to wake;
        But yet intent
    Upon some mystery bent
Hearkens the lightest word we say, or hear.

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