Some say words are useless

they are inaccurate

idealizations

that never capture the true nuance of meaning

 

Some say words are useless

they are oppressed

manipulations

they bow to serve the mouth and mind

 

Some say words are useless

they are physical

manifestations

who disappear as easily as a momentous flame

 

Some say words are useless

they are dependent

fabrications

there is no place for them

except for the rift between two minds

 

I say words are not useless

they are symbolic, emotive, abstract, free

representations, illustrations, explanations, realizations

Not without inflection,

they bend to carry their own burdens at will

Those who fight as doggedly as a crashing wave:

there is a place for them

like the space between two pitches

 

I say words are not useless

they are musical

celebrations

where the song of meaning

is found.

In the intervals…