What is the little word
that when added to the
fundamental word
changes the ensuing expression
significantly.
That is to say, again,
‘what’ is the little word that
when added to the fundamental
‘word’ changes the ensuing
expression significantly.
What word?
with a question mark
comes closer to my
intent, but you might find that
the context, my intonation,
and the expression on your face
matter,
if only to me.
Let me suggest that you
read these following words
and think of young Judy Garland -
remember her voice and the
expression on her face when she sang,
‘somewhere,
over the rainbow.’
I think you can also find some of my meaning
within the context of that movie.
Pay no attention to the man
behind the curtain.
Follow the yellow brick road.
Walk to the river.
What I mean,
one thing that I mean,
is that close attention to words
is important
but music and poetry
matter,
and you.
What is the sound of my one voice
not clapping against your smile?
What word?
If you have tried to follow
me this far, you might
guess that we are not there yet.
Here is a picture of the north unit of the Bowersock Power
Plant.
Here is another.
Can you imagine that you see my point,
or do the possibilities overwhelm you?
Do you see a reflection?
Will these words here finally come clear?
What words?
Sometimes, I write what looks like nonsense
for a reason.
Maybe this is nonsense.
Did you ever watch the movie I suggested?
Dorothy, in her ruby slippers.
There’s no place like home.
I walk to the river.
The words are clues, hints,
signs pointing to directions I have taken.
Sometime I manage to be more straightforward.
Sometimes using words in this way might be the best way
I can think of to point
to some meaning beyond
what you will be able to find
in my words, my voice, my face, the steps I take,
one foot following another.
Even if I could,
why would I tell you everything,
without a little song and dance,
a little nonsense,
not everything, that is, not everything -
only the some small bits of tune
from within an immense song
that I hear someone sometimes whistling behind me as I am
walking.
One way to understand what I mean
is to walk to the river with me,
and I mean that as it sounds, in part.
It’s one way to get beyond the words.
When I walk and then when I write,
you are already with me, in a
more figurative sense.
And if you see what I see
and hear what I hear
as you read my words,
that too, is one thing.
What words matter to you?
I love more words, more
things, more of you,
that I can sensibly express.
I’m willing to not understand what all the pieces of life
mean
the first time, or the second …
and I will revisit my own
words
myself on occasion.
Sometimes all this apparent nonsense
from the universe and life on down
seems to make sense,
sometimes.
Sometimes I search a word at a time.
What word?
But for now,
let us simply pause
for a moment
and walk wordlessly.
