Sometimes there are not enough words
to fill the page.
The thoughts are there in your head
fighting for attention,
calling out to find a place
on an otherwise blank piece of paper.

But which words will best
reflect the thought?
The words compete,
slamming into one another,
pushing, pulling, jumping up and down.
Stomping, hoping to sneak in
before the period
or after the comma.

These words,
the words that woke you
from a sound sleep,
the words spoken in love or anger.
Sometimes the same words creating
conflicting messages.
when does “stay” really mean “stay?”
there are times when “stay” means “go”
and “go” means “stay.”

Those words in your head
sometimes surrender to the words
shouted from outside,
the words of others,
invading your thoughts
taking up valuable space
for better or worse.

Those words, lingering in memory.
The kind words, the cruel words
blurted out in a moment
of passion or rage.
Words that make you toss and turn,
chasing sleep away.
Words that release demons
or call demons
to engage in battle.
Words that you can not forget,
will not forget, will stay still,
locked in time.

Searching for the words
to fill the page,
a task, a joy,
a punishment, a reward.
Recall that words for prayers
can also become a call for war.
The words are there then lost
in one breath

We battle, cry out,
then run from and to them.
We want to say them
but choose to remain silent.
We want to hear them
then choose to run away,
fearful of commitment.
And we weep when they are not said,
and we are left alone.
Words are here and there.
Choose carefully. They can linger
for an eternity.
Choose carefully with purpose
and be willing to stay put,
to be still and witness
what they bring forth.

 

Janet Cormier is a painter, writes prose and poetry, and performs comedy. JC prefers different and original over pretty. She loves collecting stuff, but cleaning not so much. Janet also talks to strangers. A lot. Her column now appears weekly on Oddball Magazine.