I wish I could use words the way a woman can Not struggling to let go of each one But pouring them out like water A smooth steady stream to comfort others or herself A raging torrent to wear away the most recalcitrant earthen lump A sudden drenching that dumbfounds the dignity of the pompous A steady drip that will break the coldness of self serving reason The pretty, witty music that entices one to dance The shrewish cackling mockery that makes you feel you’ve got no chance The calm murmur that can reach the loneliest, most troubled soul The endless seeming wittering that will always have its goal Or perhaps her words don’t mean anything at all They just break the surface of previously parched land Making little bubbles that pop before they’re seen With a puff of freshly made air The tiny gasp with which life can begin And even when she’s silent and alone The words will not stop Going round and round her head until someone can be told Pressing to express her joy and stress The wild life she struggles to control The dear words she wants to give with love Which may escape to wreak revenge or savage the innocent Which may be used against her by ruthless charmers With echoes of what she wants to hear or damaging quotes Of things she said but no longer feels or means So sometimes even the best of women may feel defeat Beaten by words she said that have been ignored Or twisted till the love has been choked out of them And they come back to haunt her, weary little beasts That she must contain all over again, even though she knows That soon they and the thoughts they hold will return to demanding life And she that was once their mistress will become their slave And that is why though talking with women has been one of the great joys of my life Though I love the verbal jousting and respect a sound tongue lashing I still hope and dream of the time when the woman I love and I May be together in wordless peace Comfortable enough with each other not to speak Knowing that the immensity of silence Is easily filled by our mutual love.