Meditation on the Word Need
The problem with words of emotion is how easily meaning drains from their fiddle-sweet sounds and they become empty instruments. I can say love and mean desire to give— open-handed, open-hearted— or I am drawn to the light shining from your soul— or my life is empty without you— or I want to run my hands and mouth down the length of you— or all of these at once. Need, now, is a plain word. I need a nail to hang this picture. I need money to pay my bills. I need air and light, water and food, shelter from storm and sun and cold. To be healthy, to be sane, to survive, I need you. -"Meditation on the Word Need" by Linda Rodriguez, from Heart's Migration