Be careful how you handle the numbers

First, a lesson from the beginning of time:

There were no echoes

Everything that was said was said in the moment and said of the moment alone

There were no repetitions

Therefore there were no other moments

 

Now, the poetry:

I said something and you said something

That was one

 

I said something back to you and you also returned

That was two

 

The exchange is interrupted

That was three

 

I said something again and you said something again

That was four

 

I said something else back to you and you also returned

That was five

 

The exchange is interrupted once more

That was six

 

I said something about the interruption and you said something

That was seven

 

I said something back about the interruption and you said nothing

That was eight (knocked over by an echo on its way)