"Comes love nothing can be done!"

for Artie Shaw

Words get in

the way of

what we want to

say to those we love

words push and shove

like prize fighters in

a toxic ring or

dreaded storms in

much-awaited spring

words can only sting

and bring us

closer to

the void where

language rules

among fools for

truth and silence

are next of kin

and those with

open mouths can only exchange

empty vows

but those whose music

is their heart

can never for too long

be apart

nor fear a darkness

that consumes

as flight

comes naturally to

we who

live to tell

who know

but cannot say

in the end

love has its way.

© 2004 - Jayne Lyn Stahl