Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SILENCE by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: WITH CHANGEFUL SOUND LIFE BEATS UPON THE EAR;
Last Line: HEARKENS THE LIGHTEST WORD WE SAY, OR HEAR.
With changeful sound life beats upon the ear;
Yet, striving for release,
The most seductive string's
Sweet jargonings,
The happiest throat's
Most easeful, lovely notes
Fall back into a veiling silentness.

Ev'n 'mid the rumour of a moving host,
Blackening the clear green earth,
Vainly 'gainst that thin wall
The trumpets call,
Or with loud hum
The smoke-bemuffled drum:
From that high quietness no reply comes forth.

When, all at peace, two friends at ease alone
Talk out their hearts -- yet still,
Between the grace-notes of
The voice of love
From each to each
Trembles a rarer speech,
And with its presence every pause doth fill.

Unmoved it broods, this all-encompassing hush
Of one who stooping near,
No smallest stir will make
Our fear to wake;
But yet intent
Upon some mystery bent
Hearkens the lightest word we say, or hear.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net