silence poem #1

By Jacqueline Jackson

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silence poem #1

people sing about silence write
about silence there must be space
between words between sounds
different silences have different
meanings some you know are
coming and you wait for – one that
will be coming soon I first heard
(or did not hear) was when I was
at my first messiah concert age 12
at the end of the overture comes
a long pause – six, seven seconds –
and then the tenor sings his first
words comfort ye comfort ye my
people it is that pregnant waiting
silence that affects my heart, guts
more than any hallelujah chorus –
all my life I have sung in played in
listened to this oratorio it is those
silent seconds I hold my breath for

©2016 Jacqueline Jackson

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