THE WORD
I open my mouth to speak
And the word is there,
Formed by the lips, the tongue,
The organ of voice. Formed by
The Brain, transmitting the word
By Breath. I open my mouth to speak
And the word is there,
Traveling between us-caught
By the organ of hearing, the ear,
Transmitting the thought to the brain
Through the word./Just so do we communicate-
You and I: the thought
From one mind leaping to another,
Given shape and form and substance,
So that we know and are known
Through the word.
But let me speak to my very small son
And the words mean nothing,
For he does not know my language.
And so I must show him: “This is your foot,”
I say; “and it is meant for walking.”
I help him up: “Here is the way to walk!”
…
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