Sonnet XXV
A poem
Le Silence (Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, 1895)
She follows just behind my every word And leads me through the chambers of my thought, Remains to fill the places I cannot, Departs when I forget that all I've heard Within the arbour of Her company I prize more than the company of men, Forget the music woven for me when I shunned the clanging brass and timpani. Then there are times I hate Her with a passion; I'll barricade my heart against Her suit Preferring self-made lies to forcéd truth, Pursuing fickle whim and fleeting fashion, Suspecting all the while that She'll recruit My years against the folly of my youth.
I like this one a lot Thomas. The painting you chose struck me. A former neighbor of mine in my home town was a novelist here in Canada, and used this painting as the cover for one of his more popular novels ("Pilgrim.") I don't remember if the novel was really any good, but I remember enjoying it as a late-teen. Anyway, an excellent, ecocative sonnet, and a perfect compliment in the painting.
"Suspecting all the while that She'll recruit
My years against the folly of my youth."
What a fitting volta. Beautifully done.