Ode To The Silent Bells Poem by Chris Embrick

Never once have I heard you ring
Though ringing was once your duty
You called others here to sing
Filled the church with sounds of beauty
At weddings rang for life joyous
At funerals bid the soul farewell
On holidays echoed the cheers
Now, you hang rusting before us
Oh, if I could but ring the bells
Your sound would change the atmosphere.

Once your ringing held great power
Causing men to pause and linger
The memory stayed there for hours
Caused strangers to point their finger
Announced in war victory sweet
In times of peace filled the air
Let others know that all goes well
Your tones and cadence rich and deep
What sound on earth can one compare
Oh, how I love and miss the bells.