This game of telephone
has lasted generations.

The implicit agreement is
to map the meaning
of word
to word
to word
sometimes ad infinitum?
finally then
to something
in the physical world.

For the sake of this argument, let’s imagine
that there is a consensus-driven objective reality
in which most of us share some overlap.

While not advocating against deep sea exploration,
the farther we swim from the boat,
the harder it becomes to hold a conversation.

Alternately,
words are strips of flypaper,
catching buffalo.

And weirder yet, understanding
doesn’t seem to require words.

I can place my beverage,
without thinking the word,
understanding what I did.

But when I wonder where
I put my drink,
I realize it’s on the
table.

What else is hidden
behind linguistic restriction?