A Plea For Silence

The gods cannot afford to leave a man in the world who is privy to any of their secrets. They cannot have a spy here. They will at once send him packing. How can you walk on ground when you can see through it?

Henry David Thoreau, Journals, March 12, 1852

A Plea for Silence
By: Troy Jollimore

Did I neglect to mention
the first snow in the mountains?

Each faltering flake a parachute
on a doomed mission.

Did I forget to tell
of the spring melt?

The slow, stammering madrigal
of the waning icicle,

the soft sluice of rain water
through the rain gutter --

did I fail to report these things?
And does it matter?

The door that opens, opens.
We do not make it happen

by seeing it, or saying it.
Better that we keep quiet,

and listen for the music
in the creek's swift static.

The river, the snow-laden tree,
the massing of clouds over hills --

these things are fragile. We
only corrupt them when we tell

their stories. Leave them be.
Let them speak for themselves.

This is from Troy Jollimore's book of poetry, "Tom Thomson in Purgatory" published by Margie, Inc. with an introduction by Billy Collins.

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[trisoctehedron]

I love YouTube poetry readings and I like your voice and delivery very much.

[loveyoutodeathbut]

trisoctehedron, I need to google that--it sounds like a dinosaur. You are nice to come and comment! Thanks for the pat on the back =P

[maxtran2005]

I said it before and I say it again... What a sweet, narrative voice...

[loveyoutodeathbut]

Thank you maxtran2005. Little did I know you do quite an effective recitation =)

[WileyPossum]

I find this very relaxing, and exceptionally true. Great job!

[loveyoutodeathbut]

I find your comments very encouraging and positive. Thank you!

[radevvvv]

Exceptionally beautiful pictures!Thanks for the pleasure of watching them!

[IcanSeeAndHearYou]

Mercilessly Hypnotic... Have safely entered transcendental meditative state... please do not, I repeat...NOT snap finger.

[loveyoutodeathbut]

What happened to your account? If you have a new account, please send me a link!

[loveyoutodeathbut]

That was such a lovely comment, thank you Ayisza!