there are different kinds of screams

evidently there are different

kinds of screams.

                             they tell stories;

how we move through the world,

the way the sound enters

the ear, fires the limbic system,

imbeds itself in the brain.

perhaps there’s something there –

that first scream after birth

silent, sometimes without air,

fighting our way into the light,

our entire body bearing down

upon the fear.

                       what is this new thing?

what is there here beyond heat

and the dull throb of heartbeat,

the muffled voices and

elastic stretch of membrane

and skin taut with promises,

the constant eruptions of sound,

how we communicate

    each moment:

the howl of existence,

raging against each interruption,

the surprise of joy, rapture

lifting us into song, and silence;

ruptures, and how we are bowed

by weight, curling in upon ourselves

until we find the words

to move out of our bodies

                                          once again.

 

use your words, we are taught,

but sometimes they are not enough;

or there aren’t enough words,

or there are too many.

it’s okay if there are no words

                                                 right now –

eventually you will find them.