from kamala das' 'words'

but to make words your own

like you managed, convincingly;

their sounds, their habits, their comforts,

to make them feel loved, welcome, at home -

is such a privilege.

if i were a word, i'd be the sea

in as many languages as you speak,

hoping to find the stairway to your heart

easily, readily, non-threateningly,

wishing to be evoked in unsuspecting verse.

the bothersome trees that other words grew

around you, i'd hack at, with all my saltiness

so that the only ones left standing

would be you and me.