The Mercy of Silence

When I rush after

and judge faster

When I believe I spin the

orbit of my world

Gift me the mercy of silence.

When I grasp to squeeze fame

from your name

Gift me the mercy of silence.

When I busy myself

to fix myself

And demand you speak when I say

Gift me the mercy of silence.

When I’ve grown weary of doing

And saying and praying

Of walking and talking

Of naming each thought

Of protecting and deflecting and collecting

Of reading and pretending

Of buying and selling

Of thinking and telling

Gift me the mercy of silence.

For in the silence I do not accomplish

In the silence I only breathe

In the silence tears remain unnamed

In the silence I find sabbath for my soul

In the silence I am

In the silence You are

Oh gift me the mercy of silence.

Shannon Johnston 12/17