Jeffrey McDaniel’s poem “A Quiet World” posits an existence where speech is measured one precious word at a time.
How would you spend your 167 words on a typical day?
Who would you save for and what would you say?
How would you spend 167 words?
May 8, 2008 · 18 Comments
Categories: Colors of the Mountain
18 responses so far ↓
Mariah // May 9, 2008 at 11:37 pm |
Hmm, one hundred and sixty seven words in one day, I’m not sure how I would use them. I could say ” Would you like anything to drink” twenty seven and 5/6 times. I could say ” I love you” fifty five and 2/3 times. I could ask ” Why must we do this?” forty one and 3/4 times, Or I could think all of those things and not speak at all. I guess I would feel the need to rebel and say “Our government is unfair” fifty times, but I’de probably be arrested for not following the rules. I would save my words maybe twice a week, just to speak to my father on the telephone, But if he used all of his words I could tell him about my day.Words are something we take advantage of, if not spoken enough we may even forget the sound of our own voices. In a world where we can only speak one hundred and sixty seven words I would feel
Ben Conde // May 14, 2008 at 2:23 pm |
i would say as much as i want because the goverment couldnt really keep track.
brooke // May 14, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
That would be very hard for me because i say alot more then that in like an hour. I would learn sign language! I guess I’d say the most important things i thought i needed to say. But 167 words isn’t that many.. I’d be very angry at our government, I’d go and complain with my 167 words.
Brandon // May 14, 2008 at 2:24 pm |
I would probably save all 167 words for my mother because she has been the most influential person in my life. She’s constantly in and out of the hospital because of her heart, so i don’t know how much longer i have with her. I would just tell her that i love her and i would thank her for everything she has ever given me.
Omar // May 14, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
i would save my words for something very important in the future
Valerie Stimpson // May 14, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
I would save them for the most important people in my life. If i ran out of words I would write to every one. If I was told that I could only speak a certain amount of words I would move away because I speak more than that before school starts.
Danielle Becker // May 14, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
i would just stay quiet and not talk at all unless i need to but is has to be an emergency. I would say some for my mom dad cousin and my best friend and the kids i babysit for. But thats about it.
Kayla // May 14, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
if i could only use 167 words in a day i would use them very very sparingly. People take words for advantage every day so it would be hard for people to have to watch how many they have spoken. i wouldnt know how i would go about my typical day of words because i love, LOVE to talk so this task would probably really hard for me.
Grace. // May 14, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
If I only had 167 words, I probably would just learn sign language and not talk at all.
erin calder // May 14, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
i would save my words for jon, and then tell him everything that happened that day, and how much i love and miss him.
mike // May 14, 2008 at 2:31 pm |
i would probably not be able to do that but if i had to id sleep all day and not even bother talking at all
connor // May 14, 2008 at 2:33 pm |
If I only had 167 words i probably would learn to communicate in other ways and save my words for something important.
Steve // May 14, 2008 at 2:39 pm |
If i could only say 167 words per day, I wouldn’t bother to speak at all unless I absolutely had to. I’d actually prefer if nobody spoke, I like it better when I’m in a quiet environment and don’t have to communicate with anyone. I don’t like having to talk to most people, and I’d be just fine with the government basically forcing us not to talk.
kylah Rodd // May 14, 2008 at 2:41 pm |
i would use my 167 words for something important. i wouldnt bother talking about stupid stuff.
Jenniferrrrrrrr // May 14, 2008 at 2:42 pm |
If i could only say 167 words per day I don’t think I would be able to be near loved or hated ones.
No friends, no family.
madeline // May 14, 2008 at 2:42 pm |
167 words wouldnt suit me well. i love to talk to people and hear people talk. i would prolly learn sign language or something
Justin // May 16, 2008 at 2:26 pm |
i would keep saving up my words then would be able to talk alot on one day
Bobby // May 29, 2008 at 4:11 pm |
I think the gov’t would deny Ben his words after a certain point.