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The Spike [: or, Victoria University College Review 1957]

Fragment II

Fragment II

You are rather beautiful

I might have said very beautiful
except
that some would have taxed me with exaggeration
including yourself too i expect
in your heart
if not with your lips
which would remain silent
like a flower

page 62

Yes you are rather silent

I might have said very silent
except
that about the peace which you carry within you
i should not wish to exaggerate
for you often speak
of humble necessary things
of work or food or pleasure
but about important things
unspeakable things
you are properly silent
with a silence more eloquent
and more welcome
than any imperfect human speech
So if in your presence i appear reserved
it is because i would not break
that very desirable peace
the sort of peace
in which alone important silent matters
can proceed undisturbed
like balance
silent because gravitation is soundless
or respect
which is also like gravitation a state of quiet tension
or understanding
which can be better known from its own particular stress
than from any spate of words
by which we might seek to explain it

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