what difference does it make
if you ask me my name
and I tell you it's winter
what difference does it make
if you ask for my number
and I say twenty-nine
my words run away
like a child from its mother
they’re wavelengths
rhythms
they’re syllables and air
what difference does it make
if I make up a name
or I make up a number
my words aren’t myself
they’re reception perception
vibration
and sound
they run down the aisles
and steal toys from the shelves
you ask me my number
and I tell you it's winter
you ask me my name
and I say twenty-nine
our words aren’t ourselves
what difference does it make
we both speak in tongues
and leave orphans behind.