Don’t forget to demand silence
Even though it is close to extinct
Elders had it.  Have it. 
It’s maddening sometimes.
That they won’t talk to us.   
They suffer in silence.
But they had it.  Remember it at least.
Before concerts and machines and prescriptions brought on tinnitus. 
That non-stop ringing made tolerable only by the radio on blast
Or t.v.’s white noise. 
Demand silence.  
Donate dollars somewhere to someone who is saving it. 
In the silence is the processing. The healing. 
Even the hearing. 
Silence levels the playing field so the meek sounds can rise. 
Or where forgiveness happens. 
Or prayer. 
Where pain decides to try again to 
Test what meditation learned. 
Against the silence.  Next to it can live the silver note. 
Truth. 
Beauty in the rustle. 
A chirp. A cry. A cheer. A sighing. A hum. A lullaby. 
Demand silence in this cacophony of voices. 
Do not be afraid to sit within it.
Or to make the beautiful sound, 
The intentional sound beside it.