Silence

There are no words for the deepest things.
Words become feeble when mystery visits
and prayer moves into silence.
In post-modern culture
the ceaseless din of chatter has killed
our acquaintance with silence.
Consequently, we are stressed and anxious.
Silence is a fascinating presence.
Silence is shy; it is patient and never
draws attention to itself.
Without the presence of silence,
no word could ever be said or heard.
Our thoughts constantly call up new words.
We become so taken with words
that we barely notice the silence,
but the silence is always there.
The best words are born
in the fecund silence
that minds the mystery.

--John O'Donohue