Jessica's Words
by Elizabeth Challinor
What do you mean?
Why do you think that?
They stopped to think
Actually, I don’t
They weren't my thoughts at all
In fact they were Jessica's words, to be precise
They suddenly felt stupid, small
I swallowed them hook, line and sinker without even thinking twice
So began a shocking journey of discovery
None of their words were their own
Not a single one
Time to invent a new language
Have some fun
Blasigr hfgtu jfgrtu dhjutr hftu
But they were talking to themselves
Not a soul understood
Feeling lonely and cold
They decided to go for a jog in the park
The sound of children playing and a dog bark
Filled their veins with hope
Neither children nor dog seemed to care
Releasing their energy into the fresh air
If the words or barks were truly their own
Back at home
They took the dictionary down from the shelf
The heavy volume began to tremble in their hands
Nobody consults me anymore
Why do I even bother to store all these words?
But you are their faithful guardian
No, it's time to let them go
The dictionary began to weep
Its tears smudging all the ink
Put me away
Go, find the meanings for yourself
And don't ever presume
That a spoon is a spoon
