! ! Just There

Between two who are talking; above two who are silent; in the listening after wisdom spoken; the moment as the pen’s put down; the moment after the book is lowered; between two thoughts; just before speech; as cup’s put back on saucer; knife and fork sing plate; just before the inward breath, and just after the outward breath, between the warm memory and the fond association; just before the smile is smiled; when the last tear has dropped; just as silence forgets sound; just as stillness forgets movement; as all thought surpasses thought as if no thought had ever been; the moment before music starts; the moment after music ceases; the moment before words come; just before the poem speaks; between the listening and the hearing; all these gathered in your heart just before you give it name.