Words

I found words 
 In puddles. 
and in the air on my walks down the street.
People throw out words 
like trash
Kids will kick around a word from one end of the street to the next till its bent and misshapen 
I found hot breathed words
And lullaby words as cool as cucumbers 
I love love words like I love you. 
I have collections of words on my shelf I go to them they embrace me and cradle me 
when i need a mother
 the words would set fire to my soul when I need a father 
and they keep me company when I need a brother 
and I would protect my words like i would my sister 
and learn from them as if they were a grandparent.
 Words are family to me. 
Words nourish me. 
Words lift me. 
And words do hurt me. 
Words tell me.