Souls Be Not Silent

I once knew a starving man. He was well-fed, healthy, and strong, and still he starved. Not for leanness, but for swelling. Not for meat, but for his own words behind his lips.

When I had seen too much of the hunger in his eyes, I dared to ask him why he did not speak. "Save yourself," I begged. "We are listening."

"I dare not speak," he said. "Like your stifled tears, the first word would be too much. I am afraid I should never be able to stop."

"Then I will trade my tears for your speaking," I replied.

The two were well matched.