Read Psalm 62
the abomination
perhaps auden is right
that we are
'more afraid of silence'*
why else do we
pack our ears
with buds of songs
as we walk on a
crisp wintry morning;
why else do we
draw an iron curtain
of riveting conversation
about the weather and sports
between us
and our neighbors
on the evening
bus;
why else do we
become so inarticulate
when gifted with
the time and place
to speak out against
poverty,
violence,
trafficking;
yet
it is in silence that
we find the harbor
for our restless hearts;
we see the sister who
is hungry,
the brother who
longs for a friend;
we hear the hope
whispered by the
sliver of moon in
the night sky.
wait
in silence,
o my soul,
in silence.
© 2010 Thom M. Shuman
* 'We are afraid
Of pain but more afraid of silence; for no nightmare
Of hostile objects could be as terrible as the Void.
This is the Abomination. This is the Wrath of God.'
W. H. Auden, "For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio"
Thom
Thursday, December 09, 2010
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