It remains my humble sentiment that you can tell a lot about a person by their words. Every word is imbibed with memory, and that memory translates into either sustained or changed reality. My poetry and stories are largely an extension of myself. Although meticulous and calculated, every bit of it has a hidden essence, or as we sometimes say, “more where that came from”. Language changes over time, and so do we, but no matter how cringy the earlier stuff I’ve put out might be, or how rigid, intellectual, and matured the new, one thing never changes: the passion I have for this craft. I believe this world could use a little more inspiration, love, light, faith, endurance, and humanity. If my words contribute even a mustard seed’s worth of any of that to someone, then I have something to truly feel accomplished for. Ultimately though, my job isn’t just about the power of words. It is about power, people, and empowering people. Most importantly perhaps, it is about acknowledging, valuing, and validating the authenticity of the self. You can tell a lot about a person by their words. I endlessly imagine what this might reveal about me.