The Close and Holy Darkness

Sound preceded noise as well as talk.
Sound preceded letters, odes, and oaths.
Nothing, but nothing, preceded Silence:
Silence is the precedent of precedents.

Once, I peered into the velvet darkness,
And I spoke to my former self.
I said, “Soon-to-be-fatherless child,
The light is the thing you should fear.”

Fear preceded sound, and noise, and talk.
Fear preceded fetters, modes, and moats.
Nothing, but nothing, preceded Silence:
Silence fears nothing but nothing.

Now, I peer into the velvet darkness
And I sing to my frightened soul.
I sing, “Silence will come soon enough:
Silence, and darkness, and peace.”