And The Music Played

The music played again. Was hoping for a different tune, but it seemed so familiar. Once again, and unflinchingly it played a sound that I long wished eradicated, ... THE SOUND OF SILENCE.

Maybe it is me ~ I should befriend silence, not see it as apathy and betrayal. Well I guess I have a long way to go then. But I'm learning ... after all, I'm enrolled in the best school, ... THE SCHOOL OF LIFE!


Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking, People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dare Disturb the sound of silence.

"Fools" said I, "You do not know Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell, And echoed In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning, In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls." And whisper'd in the sounds of silence.
- Paul Simon -