Words

Words have always excited me!!! Especially when the writer puts them together in a manner that manages to paint a visual image for me. If it's happens that it's an abstract image, that's fine.

I used to have three or four times the number of books that I have now. Several years ago, in a moment of maniacal downsizing and moving to a new home, I donated most to a local charity. But I kept what seemed essential to my world. I kept all the Poetry books.

I had an teacher in college once write to me in a letter that I knew what was good writing. I don't know how true that is. Hopefully it's right on! (Please don't mistake this for me claiming to be a good writer, though I do enjoy trying.) I read a few lines and if I "feel" it speaking to me, it's a keeper. There's not much else involved in the process. That's my poetry collection .... stuff that speaks or even shouts to me. Words that somehow touch some inner part of me that few people suspect exists. Is that the soul??

Funny but I don't feel comfortable with vocalizing that word .... "Soul." It must be some macho part of me that refuses to openly admit sensitivity. Yet it's there, wanting to be shared. Sometimes crying, silently but loudly. Words possibly exist to help keep it alive and functioning. Assisting in keeping me moving forward. I think of it as being comparable to changing the oil in your car.

I'm very selective with the words that I choose to hold onto. It seems difficult to meet my established but undefinable criteria. One just knows!! .... you know? I visualize combinations of words just floating freely in the air until someone discovers or often stumbles upon their existence. I see it as a type of magic! The words may have been there for centuries until suddenly outed! I wonder if there are other forms of expression still waiting to be discovered? Something beyond writing or painting or song and dance?