The power inherent in words and communication is immeasurable.

Wielding this simple, yet diversely functional tool of communication, we have at our disposal the ability to destroy.

Alternatively, we have the building blocks of creation.

We have the power to express all degrees of emotion, sadness, joy, melancholy, confusion, despair, frustration, fear, and anger.

We have the ability to create heaven and hell,  and any number of fantasies we might conjure through our imaginations.   We frame our futures and pasts.  We frame concepts of our ideal selves.  We internalize dialogue about our will and intention and hopes and dreams.

We elevate others with words of kindness or flattery.  Sometimes, we receive those words in return.  Other times, we denigrate with words of slander and vile intent.  Occasionally, we also receive those in turn.

We don’t believe in the medium of cinema because it’s not communication directly to us.  However, we may be coerced, or influenced strongly by a book.  The experience is more direct, and more impactful and powerful.  The movie or televised program is more an observed experience, as opposed to an engaged experience.  We have words to communicate ideas and emotions, cinema and picture are more translations.

I could not easily recall all the times I’ve been physically hurt or injured in my life, though assuredly there have been many.  Deep, lasting turmoil caused by words and language though, I shan’t easily forget.  The slice and blood flow upon my forearm will heal and cause no further thought in a fortnight.   But, the callous remark from the retail worker, about my attire fifteen years ago, somehow remains branded upon my memoryscape.

An absence of words and communication has equal fortitude.

Have you ever tried desperately to extend your hand, linguistically, to someone?  Perhaps that person is a friend, lover, brother, sister, parent, acquaintance, or even a stranger, and you find that your offering receives no response?   Maybe you are waiting for a phone call after a first date?  Absence of communication can wreak all kinds of chaos on ones rationality.  Maybe you said something harsh to someone, and have apologized, but have yet to hear from them?  Are you left wondering whether your sincerity is accepted?   Perhaps you asked an opinion, and were simply wanting honest feedback.  Does an absence of response make you second guess the person, or do you second guess sincerity given a latent response?

Can you communicate love, without words?

Maybe you or I could touch, and gaze, and buy, and spend, and lavish, and cuddle, and conjugate.  Maybe we could engage, or attend, or intertwine, or spoon, or stroke, or embrace.

But if our partner never hears or sees the words, how will they truly believe that we love them?

Roses say a great deal.  But roses with words mean more.

Imagery is wonderful, and the experience of having seen an amazing sunrise, sunset, mountaintop, valley, sad person, happy person, volcano, tropical bird, eclipse, comet, etc. is individually incomparable.  I feel this is insufficiently rendered through a picture.  What did you feel?  Why did this particular sunset move you?  Who are you that this imagery matters?  When I come to the same emotional conclusions as a result of your description, then we have shaken hands, and touched each other through our words and communication.

Humbly yours,

J