By Opal Palmer Adisa

the slightest comment
causes my eyes
to smart
i pretend the wind
has blown something
my way

i fix on an idea
search through my jig-saw mind

if i can find words
with which to test the idea
if words don’t abandon me
as many have
i know i will be fine

it will be rough going
but i’ll make it through

as long as i have words
words which repel
those waiting to pounce on me
i can find my way
back to the beginning
where this unraveling began

words
my true only friends