Silences
Arthur O'Shaughnessy
1844 to 1881
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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And grass stir on it with a fitful breath,
With even a sigh.
Then passed; and greater still the silence grew,
For all reply.
And watched the flowers desolately wave,
Oh, in your heart was there no word for me?
Sick with unanswered life I turned to death,
I stood beside a grave. Years had passed by;
I raised my eyes to heaven; my prayer went high
I spoke to you with all my soul, and when
As though an answer in their hearts they had;
And whispered all my question to the grave,
I look at you 'tis still my soul you see.
My thought of God was purer than a flame
For all reply.
All would have answered had you answered then
For all reply.
'Tis a world of silences. I gave a cry
In the first sorrow my heart could not withstand;
But you! If I can speak before I die,
Some turned away, some came and took my hand,
And God it seemed a little nearer came,
Into the luminous mystery of the blue;
I saw men pause, and listen, and look sad,