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.