Words

Sometimes words spill rapidly,

Like water tumbling over each other

To cascade down a waterfall 

With thoughts and ideas to stimulate the mind.

Sometimes words flow smoothly,

Their beauty and eloquence an effortless picture,

Painting meaning and life and inspiration for the reader.

Sometimes words march steadily,
Their tidily joined hands

Bringing clarity and order
To a meaningless jumble
 Of confusing thoughts and ideas.

Sometimes words come haltingly,
Their questions looming
 Larger than answers and
Their meanings hesitant and uncertain,
Searching timidly for affirmation.

Sometimes words must be coaxed forth,
Painfully, painstakingly
Encouraged to drop carefully
From hidden to exposed
Revealing what is bottled inside.

Sometimes words remain unspoken,
Their mystery hidden
From generations to come
Their silence leaving questions unanswered, ideas untried, problems unresolved, stories untold.

Sometimes silence is golden;
Least said, soonest mended.
But a word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold
In pictures of silver.
Proverbs 25:11