Poems (Jordan)/Silent Music
SILENT MUSIC
Thou can'st not know that in my heart which waits the touch of word;
The music in Life's silences is left so long unstirred!
'Tis there; I feel it oftentimes, when not a friend is nigh,
Thrilling along life's hidden cords,—echo'ng in smile or sigh.
The music in Life's silences is left so long unstirred!
'Tis there; I feel it oftentimes, when not a friend is nigh,
Thrilling along life's hidden cords,—echo'ng in smile or sigh.
The silent music of each heart doth wait the artist's hand;
A whole life waiteth to respond to such as understand;
As in an untouched instrument the world of Music lives,
Or played upon by countless hands retains more than it gives;
A whole life waiteth to respond to such as understand;
As in an untouched instrument the world of Music lives,
Or played upon by countless hands retains more than it gives;
So, hidden in the silences of ev'ry human soul,
Though much is given out in word, doth still abide the whole,
And only he who has the pow'r to read between the lines—
Those spaces 'twixt the motive and the outwardgiven signs—
Though much is given out in word, doth still abide the whole,
And only he who has the pow'r to read between the lines—
Those spaces 'twixt the motive and the outwardgiven signs—
Can hear the music of that life a-rythm-tick with his own;—
Though it to others muffled be he hears the undertone;
Love sees within the loved one's eyes the meaning of the words,
To silent peals of rapture sweeping o'er Life's deepest chords!
Though it to others muffled be he hears the undertone;
Love sees within the loved one's eyes the meaning of the words,
To silent peals of rapture sweeping o'er Life's deepest chords!
But 'tis the Master's skilful hand,—though now by both unseen,
Which lovingly doth merge the two, without a pause between;
They feel together and their hearts no longer need the word,—
For both the music and the song they have together heard!
Which lovingly doth merge the two, without a pause between;
They feel together and their hearts no longer need the word,—
For both the music and the song they have together heard!