Bernard Harris lives and writes in West Chester, Pennsylvania. 

Looking For Words
(for all my students, past and present)
By Bernard Harris

I tried to write this poem that would clue you in on real world things, on what you could expect—on what the real world brings. I guess I’m still searching for the proper nouns, pronouns, adjectives and adverbs. I’m sure you think you’ve got it all figured out at age 18, but me, the old man, I’m still looking for words.

I thought the right message could be delivered with the correct prepositional phrase. Perhaps a clever anecdote could carry you through the rest of your days to make you mindful of the world and all its wicked ways. If I could write the perfect paragraph to keep all the negative ions away from your all positive rays, I just wonder what I would say.

In some sweet, soulful-sounding serenade, softly, slowly and simply, my sonnet will allow illumination through alliteration. I would watch your eyes come alive wide with wonder, watching, willing and waiting without worry.  (Waiting Without Worry)

I am looking for that precise pitch, that ideal idiom and dialogue that will dance across your ideas in big bold letters. I will jump up, holler and howl with each and every vowel as you tour-guide us on a path of peace. A path you are destined to reach laced with silver and gold as your future unfolds right before our eyes.

I am looking for words with no kick-backs that will send you vision with the correct syntax & symmetry. Flowing words that will invite your beautiful poetry, incite our synergy and direct us to our destiny. I am looking for words, in search of synonyms that will shine on our similarities and allow us to begin again, no pretense and no parodies.

If I could mix and mingle mango metaphors that could open doors just for you to usher us through, you’d be another giant whose shoulders we could stand on too. I am looking for words.

I am looking for the gift you possess that will enhance, enlighten and uplift our success. Words that would extend, expand and explain it the best. I am on a mission and like a true visionary I’ve searched the entire dictionary and still can’t find the right rhythm nor the right rhyme. I am looking, looking . . . looking, for words!