Responding – words

Words can seem ubiquitous. All pervading, interchangeable. Bitten into monosyllabic phrases.

Words are universal. They come first. We use words to create language. As children, we learn words first, and language comes later. Words describe, they convey, they connect.

Words enable me to see. They enable me to create, to sense and to be aware. Words have different levels of importance to me also. Some are invaluable, some less so, some are a nuisance.

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Describing the pain of running a marathon, and the exhausted elation of a finishing line.

Creating space for readers to climb into my story, and a place where I can escape to.

Sharing the roller coaster of living, and the pathway of stillness.

Creating reflections, inspiring visions.

For me, for myself, for everyone who voyages in words. For fellow smiths who use them with purpose and joy.

And, especially for the times when I shepherd away the hurt and harm of my own humanity.

When my motivations, and our shared motivations, are the search for less darkness.

Sometimes, I search for familiarity with darkness, as familiarity can my guiding light, my ally and fellow.

And all your fears and worries
Attack when you’re alone
When you’re alone, when you’re alone, when you’re alone

Why don’t we share the darkness tonight
Make it warm and burning bright

Carton, Moran – Share the Darkness

Letting go, releasing both its hold on me, and my hold on it.

Holding darkness less tightly, perhaps.

Whether I describe darkness, or shadow, or inertia.

I can let go. I can go beyond my reaction of being afraid.
I can respond to my words.

And, responding is so important. Long after my visceral, reptilian, fight or flight, reaction has subsided.

I choose to respond. Two words – react, respond. Different. Separate. Vitally different and separate.

I separate, I describe, I choose.

I respond.