My words begin tied to the paper. Safe -Ordered-
Purposely placed. There, they enjoy time under tension;
surface tension where ink is clasping to treated wood.
Then, are filtered repeatedly by the reader.
Once read, I no longer claim them.
I’m simply an agent; volunteering them to dangle
loosely in the air around us.
Take the words. Rearrange them. Gravity is but one force 
holding them. Shuffle them into your language 
to extend their shelf life. Juggle them between friends.
They originate as one articulated moment.
Perspective to paper -Paper to voice -
Voice to interpretation.
I sacrifice them to a journey with no guarantees except risk.
Their return is unscheduled and unrecognizable.


B.Toner   April 2023