Silence ~ A Poem by Laurence Dunbar

Silence Beyond Words: Discovering the Depth of Connection

Sometimes the loudest truths are spoken in complete quiet—if we are willing to listen.

Silence

Paul Laurence Dunbar

‘T is better to sit here beside the sea,
    Here on the spray-kissed beach,
  In silence, that between such friends as we
    Is full of deepest speech.

Source

Reflection

There is a kind of friendship and presence that does not need words. Dunbar reminds us that silence, when shared with someone who truly knows us, becomes a language of its own—one that holds memory, compassion, and understanding without uttering a single sentence. To sit beside the sea is to recognize how connection can expand beyond sound. The waves speak; so does the simple act of being together. In a noisy world that demands constant expression, this poem challenges us to honor the quiet and allow it to speak through our hearts.

As you read this poem, ask yourself:

What relationship in your life feels strong even when no words are shared?