Ah, Silence! An ocean to greet me

As broad and as flat as a sword

In perilous, unbroken accord

It has siphoned my senses completely

And left me bereft and deplored.

All sound has no sense in these days;

It is meaningless, empty, and cold.

What matters the bells being tolled,

What heed for my blame or my praise?

Though the roar of the thousands increase

And the mountains erupt and release

Nothing, however discreetly,

Cuts through the din of the peace.

I have loved you so long and so sweetly

And I ask for no earthly reward

Nor hope for my hearing restored

But pity me now to entreat thee

All I seek, my Love, is a Word:

In all of this nightmarish calm

But one thing the stillness outstrips,

Every echo on Earth I would trade for.

There is naught in this world such a balm

As my Name tripping out from your lips.

It is all my ears have been made for.

You need not love me to thrill me

My thrill has been bought and paid for.

If thou wouldst with splendor instill me

Speak softer, and speak it once more.