The Weight of Silence
by Jason Tomlinson

What speaks more than silence?
what carries more weight when we hold every word?
what is it about the absence of speech that causes solemnity to be so stirred?
eyes and ears posture and presence demonstrate worlds of respect
that words out loud could never come close to being able to direct
the honor toward the recipients that indeed is due
so the only thing left is to give silence when they are in view
I think we long for it – both giving and receiving
we long to enter the cycle of silence a small taste will have us believing
that the silence we owe is the silence we need
poured in to pour out overwhelming indeed