it seems kinda ironic that he is compelled to use words to tell how much he dislikes words

He doesn't "dislike" words. He is saying words can be inadequate and even confining.

Shakespeare's Macbeth says something similar:
"Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives."

Prather says:
"Words often keep me from acting in a
fully intuitive way. Fears, indecision and
frustration feed on words. Without words
they usually stop."

Words are tools to get at meaning and feelings, they can never become "meaning" or "feelings" themselves. Prather respects his tools but he is mindful of their limitations.

It has been said that of the 3 arts, music, painting and poetry, poetry ranks lowest because words can never be anything more than an approximation of feelings.