Words, by their nature airy things
only the breath that speaks them aloud can bring
to the ear that bends and gives them weight
the texture and colors that form their taste;
the shape of words rolled from the tongue
their flavor, words that slip, pop, burst, prickle and grate -
sweet words whispered, or more direct,
must first perambulate to find their place
in the hearts and minds of those who'd listen
Written down, now measure their length
by paragraph and verse,
dull chapters ink and text while
volumnious in strength,
aggregate their smell in books
to hints of plum, vanilla, decay.
Speak them aloud to delight again, to share, refresh and reverberate -
inspire or animate a poem or play, for if called to action, their
charm can yet create...