The word (from ”Bone Palace Ballet”) Charles Bukowski

the word has no legs or eyes,
has no mouth, has no arms,
has no intestines and
often no heart, or very
little.

you can't ask the words to
light a cigarette
although it will help you
enjoy your wine.

and you can't force the word
to do anything it doesn't
want to do.
you can't overwork it.
and you can't awaken it
when it decides to
sleep.

the word will treat you well
at times,
depending upon what you
ask it to
do.
other times, it will treat
you badly
no matter what you ask
it to
do.