Word to the wise

Silence is all too often ignored. A shy wall flower that takes its place next to the dessert tray and the coffee pot at the rear of the room. People feel the need to stifle it; they criticize, gossip, point fingers and whisper, speak with their mouths full and say foolish things. Perhaps it would be a relief to us all if for one day we counted our words and used them only when completely necessary. It is body language, the nonverbal that constitutes 90% of communication. Maybe we can do without the 10% for a little while. In short- learn to shut the f-up and just BE sometimes.

The Quiet World
Jeffrey McDaniel

In an effort to get people to look
into each other'’s eyes more,
the government has decided to allot
each person exactly one hundred
and sixty-seven words, per day.
When the phone rings, I put it
to my ear without saying hello.
In the restaurant I point
at chicken noodle soup. I am
adjusting well to the new way.
Late at night, I call my long
distance lover and proudly say
I only used fifty-nine today.
I saved the rest for you.
When she doesn'’t respond, I know
she's used up all her words
so I slowly whisper I love you,
thirty-two and a third times.
After that, we just sit on the line
and listen to each other breathe.