I never spoke — unless addressed —And then, 'twas brief and low —I could not bear to live — aloud —The Racket shamed me so —And if it had not been so far —And any one I knewWere going — I had often thoughtHow noteless — I could die —

The words the happy say Are paltry melody But those the silent feel Are beautiful-.

I have an appetite for silence.

The appetite for silence is seldom an acquired taste.

There is no Silence in the Earth - so silent As that endured Which uttered, would discourage Nature And haunt the World.