Steel Words

It was once thought knowing someone's name gave you power over them. It's why God told his people to call Him YHVH (I am who am). Words have power... but only as much as we give them.

We search, we compose, we read.

Seeing is conceiving is believing.

Night time noise, by us anguished

feelings we're responsible for; relinquished.

When lines are meant to be steel.

Razor sharp and thirsty...

still, these words must have our permission

to penetrate, to hurt, to enrage.

In our hearts, in our minds, in our souls

we rule and we decide.

Here, our armor is only ever self punctured,

our wounds prevented by the simple armor; " You can't hurt me."

Reviews

[Kristin Lee]

Words must have our permission to hurt...how very true, and yet how often we forget.

[Mark]

Yes, and how often do the words come from someone who revels in our response?

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Seeing is conceiving is believing. -- I'm not sure why, but I really enjoyed this line. There is a starkness to the words that is both bright and melodious.

You are correct, we are the master's of our own destinies. We cannot give power to those things that bring us pain or discontent. Well written and well thought out.

[Mark]

Thank you so much Sarah. I guess that line is my favorite as well. In between experiencing the world and deciding on what we've seen is a process which filters the experience before the decision is made. Like 20 people looking at a room for 5 minutes, then taken out and asked to write down 10 things about the room. It is very unlikely any two people will have the same 10 things written down.

[Frieda P]

I have that protective armor, but on occasion those words get through the cracks....words are powerful no doubt, they linger longer than after a bloody scar heals....!

[Mark]

Its a choice, not always easy to remember that. Like anything it takes practice I guess.

[Rogue]

"Sticks and Stones"

And yet for some the child is the beginning.. Small chinks formed in the innocence before the armor is in place.. Later perhaps a bit of battering that leaves the metal weakened... Then to watch the protective scales fall away as they are compromised under the steely weight of words... A complete undermining of ones self, completely uncoordinated by the passers by, but added up over the course of it..
The words to ward it off are so easily said and yet so hard for some fragile souls to truly believe in.
Verbal abuse is the great underminer of a person's sense of self.

Much thought in this one, Mark. :)

[redflutterby]

There is power in our words so we should use them wisely. Whether speaking of love or responding in anger no you can't take those words back. Powerful poem Mark...

[Baby Ricochet]

The English alphabet is an incredible creation. 26 letters of endless possibilities. Great poem Mark.

[AYVID N]

Yes it's up to us. It is up to us the power we allow people to have over us. It is our perception of others and of our own worth that decides the impact other's words have on us. We decide if we want to get hurt. A great poem of self-empowerment. Made a great impact.

[Chris]

I had to leave and just came back to this one.

I understand the thoughts - in my own way. But I also remember how so easily shredded persons can become from even carelessly used words spoken by, to, or just ...at... even DURING a moment of life-driven intensity. So much has changed during a lifetime - mine, yours, even a child's. Societal acceptances are so politically and media driven and there is no forgiveness to be received for the perceptions conceived by second-or-more-hand or rumor-fed listeners.

Each of us is a product of all of our yesterdays regardless of the when those yesterdays were and all are judged relentlessly by today's acceptances.

The power of a poem is in its ability to raise thought, in it's emotional impact, in it's humanity, in it's heart, and in it's truth. I'm glad I paused here.

[Mark]

Thanks I'm glad to give people pause to feel, to think.

[Mockingbird]

it is true that our words can affect others, be it cruel or loving. we do have the power over our words. great job.

[Mark]

Thanks Mb :)