Silence

Photo: Aztech New Media

"All profound things and emotions of things are preceded and attended by silence," says Herman Melville. "Silence is the general consecration of the universe." And Thomas Merton: "A man who loves God necessarily loves silence." And Jorge Luis Borges: "Absolute silence is the creative energy and intelligence of eternal being." And prickly, crusty, brave Job, who says to the Creator, "I put my finger to my lips ... I will not answer again." (Brian Doyle in Daily Guideposts - 2006, 15 August)