When There Are No Words

Over 20,000 dead and rising in Turkey-Syria earthquake toll. Getty Images/BBC

Sometimes you find yourself in a situation where there are just no words to be said.

We often think that there is always something to be said, a correct turn of phrase for every situation.

But against the perfect storm of a disaster, words fail the feelings of unity that can arise in the face of its devastation, or the small miracles that pop up to raise the heart amidst the chaos of its aftermath.

Neither do words help to criticise the obvious human failings that expound the horror. Especially when it is most justified. But greater minds know that for hindsight to be sincere, it needs to distance itself from emotion. And in situations where the number of dead is still rising, words choke up at the first truth that must be spoken.

Which is that sometimes words are not enough to give voice to what we feel.

And the best wordsmith in the world knows, when there are no words to speak of, it's wise to stay silent.

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