Deep silences like thunderbolts were hurled
through the soundlessness of my quiet world.
These noises were generated from within
for my ears were not able to take sounds in.

From the noisy world no sound could be heard,
no clashing of drums or song of a bird.
My eyes could see your lips talking to me
but what you said remained a mystery.

Cut off from the noisy world around
and from its vast cacophony of sound.
I could not hear a dog bark or baby cry,
the rustling wind or river rippling by.

Then there down by the Sea of Galilee
they begged Jesus to lay his hands on me.
I was deaf and dumb and could hardly talk
but Jesus took me to one side for a walk.

He reached out touching my tongue and my ear
cried out “Ephphatha” and then I could hear.
My tongue was loosened and I could speak
now I’m no longer an outcast or freak.

Overwhelmed and amazed at everything
I heard all the people His praises sing.
For although Jesus forbad them to tell
they told everyone He’d done all things well.

*("Ephphatha! " means "Be opened! ") - Written after reading Mark 7: 31-37