Words flow through my veins like blood;

I feel them pulse and quiver through.

When my tongue is thick and mouth runs dry,

I will write the words I cannot say. 

I will write these words to you. 

A shudder in my fingertips, 

The sputter of my pen. 

When my brain gets tired and thoughts go cold,

I will write until the end.

And then I will start again. 

If we have no words we have no life,

Because language fills our souls.

When our ears are deaf and eyes go dim,

We will stop and fan the flame. 

We will stoop to rake the coals. 

Words flow through my veins like blood;

I feel them pulse and quiver through.

When my heart is stopped and lungs lie still,

Will you read the words I cannot say? 

Will you read these words for you?