[words]

meaningless labels
that define me
or you
trying to hold a human
a creature of beauty
pain
light
hope
fear
in a box of words
language ineffective
to confine a soul

i tried to describe you
painting a potrait
with those pointless terms
the quirk of your mouth
when you try not to smile
the individual wine
of your gentle kiss
that angle of your wrist
when you grasp my hand

i tried to explain colour
to a blind woman
green, the prick of new grass
purple, lush velvet under tender palms
none of the words were big enough
or small enough
or beautiful enough

the whole dictionary
a collection of pale reproductions
faded copies of real life
just as the blind woman
tried to describe a touch
the words meant nothing
no term was minute enough
for her sensitive fingertips

like you say i love you
and my ears turn deaf
not from the words
but the tone of your voice
how it cracks
on the third syllable
then i see
the words are just a vehicle
pouring your soul over mine
hoping something will hold

so i make myself hear
tear open my mind
to drink in your voice
feel your almost smile
watch your vintage kiss
hear our hands meet

January 23, 2004 - 11:42 pm