Words For It

I wish I could take language

And fold it like cool, moist rags.

I would lay words on your forehead

I would wrap words on your wrists.



“There, there,” my words would say–

Or something better.

I would ask them to murmur,

“Hush” and “Shh, shhh, it’s all right.”

I would ask them to hold you all night.



I wish I could take language

And daub and soothe and cool

Where fever blisters and burns,

Where fever turns yourself against you.



I wish I could take language

And heal the words that were the wounds

You have no name for.




~ Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way)