Words

I’ve written words since I found out that those graphite sticks 
could form them and wrote my name on the top of a kleenex box 
when I was four.
I’ve written words since I learned that each one 
held a meaningI could hear in my head.
I’ve written words since I realized that writing
releases them from my mind,
so that I can hear myself think.
I’ve written words because numbers run away from me,
just out of grasp, teasing me with 
their teamwork and rigid cooperation
and parenthetical expressions.
I’ve written words never read by anyone,
words which embarrass with their frankness
words which I’ve burned thinking they would die.
I’ve written words which I longed to share
because they fit together better than numbers
and made my skin crawl with their
deliciousness.

June 27, 2012
7:30 AM