(for I know silence)

    You tell me that silence 

is nearer to peace than poems 

but if for my gift 

I brought you silence 

(for I know silence) 

you would say 

     This is not silence 

this is another poem 

and you would hand it back to me.

[Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) 'Gift', from Leonard Cohen: Poems and Songs, of Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets]