A Forest Piece

Only in the forest

Walks Silence for men to see.

At one breathless moment

Tree huddles closer to tree,

Mosses more greenly burn,

Curls up in an ecstasy

Each delicate-fingered fern.

No rabbit stirs. The jay

Has left her querulous chatter,

Subdued by death of day.

Perching among the branches

Wind pauses upon tip-toe.

Now from blue mist-pavilion

You may see King Silence go

Royally through the forest –

Slips on a bough wind’s foot;

Sudden a berry patters.

Look! Silence shivers, is not.

Only in the forest

Walks Silence for men to see.