She did not say much
Her’s was a rounding silver pause
A singing bowl of watched consideration
When she spoke, it held a soft balance of meaning
Like the weight of the sea pressing on dry earth
They told her she was boring at dinner parties
They said shyness was a bad trait to remove
When she turned toward me, her eyes wet with shame
I wiped her tears and whispered
Surely the best among us, say the most with the least
Surely it is a vital, beautiful thing to turn down the dial
on noise, attention seeking, the cacophony of humans
Fat on ego and the terrible drive to be ahead at any cost
Say less, speak in thought, touch, dream
I kissed her fingers and she knew
Quiet love may have been forgotten in the roar
But it ripples like a beloved glory on the shoulder of great waves
Stillness spreading like silk in a gentle wind
Her cheek against mine, the moon dipping gracefully behind sugary mist
Our hands entwined, saying more than any impatient mouth
Adding more static to a hornblower world, could
Her lips resting without words, so much shared
In thirsty, balm, healing quietude.