Silence

A constant gift in every ear
The oldest volumes be,
Read, and read, and read, (and read)
Till greater than the sea.

Replace one, and another comes,
The sweet wind's shawl to slide.
Lighting seeps the flame of frost,
The crackling forever plied.

Hold it close to you, and listen
Coldest where its secrets lie,
An ancient spell of purest words
Deserving no reply.

Try it one, as you may,
Choke, sputter, and see,
Through strongest spirits, on it flows
Yet no one's master be.