I could sit and count every word
In the Oxford English Dictionary
And thus decide that was every word
In English, done, but of course,
There are other dictionaries
With disappearing "u"s, and additions
From places they particularly hono(u)r.
And entire languages the Oxford English
Eschews, because, that is not its task,
But every dictionary, every lexicon
Is tasked and re-tasked by every instant,
In every instant, until, the count of words
Cannot cease, which is, as it should be,
But, it's so taxing,
Counting them over and over,
Always having to start again, and never,
Never discovering, just where all those "u"s
Were parked.
Because, words come back, you know,
So individual letters very likely live
In shivering hope of recall.