He did not for one moment

intend them to be useful

but simply to hang in rows

each one a history of mouth to mouth

      the whistles.

 

Nor come to blows,

orderly, curious, contentious even

      the whistles

mute, obedient,

 like guns unfired

no longer expedient of intention

 

to rally the masses

subdue the lads and lasses

for conformity of action,

control, but that was side - effect

not sound - effect

      the whistles

      like metal teeth

grinning in their silence

to make silence a pleasure,

 

for what is a thing of silence

but a mystery of non - expectant sound

and something nice to have around.