Silenced (A sonnet from Habakkuk 2:20)

Silenced

A sonnet from Habakkuk 2:20

Silenced

The Lord is here; let all the earth keep silence,

Not only out the mouth, but in the ear,

And on the tongue, and through our fragile eye lens.

The fill of all we see and taste and hear

Bombards the soul as shrilly as our speaking

And drowns the gut with gurgles of delight,

Or rage, or sadness; all that keeps us freaking

When darkness screams its arrows at the light.

In silence goes the living Word to death;

Then, out of silence springs the Song of life.

In silence we await with bated breath

The voice of God that pierces like a knife;

Then, silenced by the Lamb who conquers hell,

We may discern a gentle truth to tell.