Words are like money in that they are gifts to spend. If you can’t find the proper words for what you are trying to say, your thought collapses. I am prone to think at this stage of my life that the problem is ‘old age’ but what is age really except the accumulation of years which in itself provides a larger ‘bank’ from which to draw. I wrote a poem at age fifteen about my love of words. I called it Word Images. See if you like it.
Images drift across my mind,
Word pictures tinged with color,
One syllable, two, unlimited
Consonants and vowels woven
Into complex, infinite patterns.
My images possess both beauty and pain,
Though sometimes unadorned they’re plain.
Always, they shift like drifting sand,
Transient, vibrant.
Will I use these words of mine
Share my exclusive treasure?
Or keep them for my own
Inviolate, untrammeled?
What a marvelous thing are words,
What wondrous means to an end,
Yet what tragedies are incurred
When carelessly conceived to spend.
Yes, images drift across my mind,
Word pictures tinged with color
Splashed upon life’s canvas, capable
Of happiness or sorrow.
Isn’t it strange that as I paint,
Another picture evolves complete
A shadowy reflection for all to see,
Tentative image of my soul.
(Marie Hunter Atwood)
Upward Bound 
Wow! I hadn’t read this poem, yet. Your English teacher must have loved you. Your use of “words” creates some amazing images. Thank you for sharing your master pieces with all of us!
LikeLike
Thanks for pointing out to me that the title was above the line. I have removed the offending line because it is not needed.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
I’ll make an effort to answer your other question regarding the connection between ‘words and the soul or the soul-image’.
I’ve read that at the moment an infant is born it possesses every capability it will ever have. We could call this latent ability. The first question was ‘do words make up our soul image’ and I would say ‘yes’ at least it is a part of ability.
On the other hand one can possess ability but choose not to use it or use it inappropriately which in either case it will be followed by circumstances, good or bad. The circumstances are a teacher meant to train. So here we see choice, action and reaction. At this point we can see that ‘words’ have become an either or meaning they can be ‘like’ both abilities and choices. It is the training that takes over at the point of decision and action and both become a part of who you are so I think my answers to your questions fall into a straight line, yes-yes-yes.
And your opinion is…
LikeLike