A Lesson in Etymology

"There's a common misconception" he says,
"that words have meaning.
It's actually the other way around.
We have meaning in life, and put it into words."
She thinks hard on what he says as the words ring heavy in her ears.
Everything she was ever told has been a lie.

The systems, the protocols, the way gravity pulls her down
but dreams pull her back up.

Meanings have words.

This explains hurt.
This explains anger.
This explains ...love.

That thing in the pit of your stomach,
the one you can't find any words for,
there's a reason.
It didn't come with pre-determined limitations.
There is no capacity for anger.
There is no capacity for hurt.
There is no capacity for love.
We can measure letters and words and books
but at the root of it all, it's what you feel.

And now, she feels empty.
Because everything was a lie.
"Listen Allie, you can't let it getcha down now" he says.
What does he know?
Etymology, psychology, logicality, practicality
but FEELING!
Emotive looks between two people is not something you can compromise.
It's not something for which you can set parameters.
It just.... is.
Like her.
Like life.
Suddenly, her feet can't pick themselves up off the ground.
And for the first time, it has nothing to do with gravity.