Is there anything sadder than a quiet house?

When once it rang with the sounds of laughter

When little feet raced through the halls

And jumped on the beds

When smudgy fingerprints adorned the walls

Along with crayola murals in bright colors

And later with the sound of young voices

Discussing the latest fashions

Or the sports star of the day

And who they were taking, or going with, to the prom

When you've watched that last march of the cap and gown

And they've all gone on to lives of their own

And the silence is deafening

Is there anything sadder than a quiet house?