I know

math and science

are what make up our world.

Facts, figures, laws of gravity, 1+1=2.

There's a certain beauty to it all, I suppose.

But words

a power even greater

and more stunning, more beautiful, more all-encompassing.

Mr. Scientist or Mr. Mathematician might say

without science or numbers, there would be no world.

Ah, but I counter

what is the purpose of an existing world

without words?

You see, science and numbers make up the universe

but words make up us.

I've become addicted to the calming lilt of a poem's lullaby

and to the defiant plea for justice

projected from a piece of paper.

I like to trace words with my lips

mold words with my tongue

and search for further clarification of meaning in pronunciations.

We give words their meaning

through our emotions and thoughts and ideas.

Do you know how many times I lie in bed at night

experimenting with words?

That is, repeating them over and over again

until they start to lose meaning

and are just a pile of jumbled up syllables in my mouth.

Words can mean nothing at all.

Do you know how many times

the wounded look on my face

or someone else's

was a reaction to the lava hot words

that spewed from brain to mouth in a heated exchage?

Words can mean everything.

You can side with Mr. Scientist and Sir Mathematician, of course.

But how else will you make your argument

without words?

I am a writer and I say this because

words and the power we give them

are what make up my world.