Something About Words

Without saying, without phonetic

articulation, rivers know the words

flood and flow. Clouds have unspoken

words as well, rain and snow with an

occasional tornado thrown in for good

measure. Sea knows high tide and low,

tsunami and hurricane too. Earthquake

shudders rumble and shake. Pigs grunt

and squeal, horses whinny and neigh.

I and others of my species verbalize

our condition trying to explain what

we experience each day—Sun is warm;

Ice is cold. I’ll have my steak medium

rare. I often get what I ask for if I say,

please, to those who speak my language.

Trees, leaves, blossoms and bumble bees

go about their business without saying.

This I know, a poet once told me so.

Chris Hanch 8-3-19