Say Nothing of Me

Have you been marching to the different beat
(Pace Thoreau) of some unpublished drum?
Have you been hearing for too long the hum
Of some ridiculous French horn? How sweet
The sound that hasn't saved a soul, a seat,
Or seven cents. Has falsehood made you numb?
Have you been mute, or are you merely dumb?
We push the speaking hands towards defeat.

Tell no one. You can't understand the noise.
Adhere to quiet, say nothing of me.
There are events that happen soundlessly,
Like deep water's intoxicating joys:
Recall the silence of the harbour buoys
When both of us were swimming out to sea.