If words were only ink and papyrus
Or delights of air and music
If words were simply exhalations of sound
Then lonely would be only noise in the background
Instead lonely is stretching aching fingers across the sheets
Caressing empty space in bed
Not knowing who you want there
Only wishing it was someone’s curve instead
Sadness is turning to share a laugh
And finding only your shadow
If only words were empty and light
Blown over dales and valleys and out of sight
Then anger could not fight
Fury would mean nothing more
Than simply coasting quietly out the door
If I found they had no weight
They carried no heartache
And simply wasted wisps of wanton breath
I would have no words
To describe how my heart leaps for joy
And pounds like auld cracking toys
Words were they so hollow and useless
would be no good for delight
For sharing secrets in the night,
Pillow talk and little whispers
Instead I have found words carry perpetual motion
Ever growing with each new motion
Tripping tipsy off my tongue
For anger, laughter, under moon and sun
I find things preposterous and exhilarating
I feel homesick and hostile and sometimes hateful too
Words can make me sing or fly
Make me want to crawl away and hide
They set me free and chain me down
These tiny little mouthfuls of sound
Your words can gift me a smile
Urge me to go the extra mile
Next time you sharpen your words on me
Remember that while words are free
To take them back is a hefty fee
