The Pen is Mightier than the Sword

Finished, I think. Took a bit of a different turn than when I started

The pen is mightier than the sword

Though far less striking, it creates words abhorred

Sows harmony, or creates discord

Unparalleled in its ability to castigate, denigrate, deride

Etching your flaws, and painting through time

Your failings, your sins, your crimes

 

A sword only gets a single strike

And while true this may end a life

The humble pen with bleeding ink

Can do more than push a weary soul past the brink-

Into the breach

Onto the beach

Far from grace

A lonely place

Flaws exposed

As loathing grows

 

Yet, in another view

A gentle stroke can light anew

The fire of hope and love

Stir Hell below or bring Heaven above

A soft caressing

A loving blessing

Evoke a feeling

Bring about healing

 

Words are power, whether written or spoken

A sharpened blade or a gentle token

Breaking anew or mending what’s broken

Use them well-

For only time will tell

How your words are written

In another’s life story

And how yours is kept

Pages filled with actions and deeds

A comforting hand

Or things that bleed

Taken, written, looked upon

Your legacy

Your history

Reviews

[Emerald Seas]

Thoroughly enjoyed this poem. Wise words written with a skilled touch. Hmm... I may have to study this thoroughly for its wisdom. Not sure sometimes if my words are coming across as a comfort or a sword. Lately, I contemplate just keeping my mouth (and pen) shut completely.
"Words are power, whether written or spoken
A sharpened blade or a gentle token
Breaking anew or mending what’s broken"
Yep, I connected with these lines.

[Rita L. Sev]

Good rhyme; I like the length of the lines - they encourage the reader to pause, to absorb the words. Love the theme - absolute truth to these words! This line especially:
Words are power, whether written or spoken
A sharpened blade or a gentle token...

I want to paste that to my mirror to recite each morning! Great write!

[Parsimony]

Library-worthy. Very descriptive. The rhyming scheming is quite different than the norm but brings about more harried of a pace to bring the point home.