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.