Sticks & Stones

Sticks & Stones

And I know sticks and stones

Can break your bones

But words can break your spirit

Words with their meanings

And their interpretations

Can be wielded like weapons

And if there's one thing that every poet knows

It's that you must choose them wisely

You can't bring a knife to a gun fight

And you can't pick flowers with a machete

Sticks and stones can break your bones

But words can break your spirit

And what good are bones

When your spirit is broken

Words bury themselves like seeds in vulnerable places

Words simple or complex

Can be wielded like weapons

This is why Jesus knew

That words can be cast like stones

Synthesized in mines of judgment

Tossed from the depths of misunderstanding

Catapulted through thin lines of separation

To lodge firmly into softened skulls

Where they'll grow and bear fruit

Or fester and bear filth

Sticks and stones can break your bones

But words can heal them

Words exchanged between nurses and surgeons

Words flowing through schools like whirlwinds

Words from a concerned acquaintance

When you had no clue

That someone was thinking about you

Words shine light in dark places

Reveal evil behind smiling faces

Even tell us whose grave this is

And what the deceased's desire is

You see,

Words foster immortality

So as a poet, I'll live for eternity

Author's Note

I want so badly to use my words
A constant cascade of self-expression
If only I could show you how many poems I've written in the shower
Although brain waves are supposed to be stronger than paper
My poems somehow still seem to disintegrate under the water
And spiral down the drain

Reviews

[JC]

Damn, this is awesome...the meaning, the insight, the flow...how you illumined that we as writers have knowledge of how powerful words are, and how they can affect terrible damage or build us up...very strong piece with so much depth, thoughts that I can relate to and believe in....even your author's note is poetic....my mind is all over... manipulation, destruction, enticement, inspiration, confidence...just some of the things words can do...

[Lizzie Mitchell]

you totally get it
thanks for the review!

[SheDragon16]

I absolutely loved this piece it was beautiful done. Bravo keep up this Amazing work.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

why thank you!

[Ricky Campbell]

Very moving! great write!

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thank you so much

[Ilerah]

This poem is fabulous. The meaning in it is deep, and so true. People don't realize what words can do, this poem is also inspirational. Everything about it is good, well written, good meaning. You wrote a very good poem here.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thank you! If words weren't powerful, there would be no reason to write.
There wouldn't be people who hate going to school or work because of what people say about them. Media wouldn't have so much influence over people. There would never be any reason to give words of encouragement. Education would be irrelevant. Music would be dead. I wrote this because, as poets, we believe in the power of words.

[Ilerah]

Agreed, and even in books, without words to describe the setting, you would have no idea what is going on, or where.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

haha right

[JD Jessop]

Your last two stanzas are awesome. Way to tie it all together!

Words definitely can break your spirit.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed.

[Chris]

Back... This IS an oral piece...reads aloud with promise and authority...

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you so much for coming back to see the finished product
i'm so excited that it reads the way I wanted it to!

[Meraki]

You know I find through observation and experience, as a writer we often times don't see how great we are. In fact that goes for everything. This is an amazing poem and you're a great writer. This is definitely one of my favorites.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thank you so much!

[Meraki]

Oh and I completely agree with everything Jason said in fact he took the words out of my mouth. I didn't want to seem like a copycat so I had to take a different route. It was my pleasure.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

Hahaha thank you!

[Meraki]

No problem! :D

[Afraa]

Beautiful and epic at the same time. I loved your usage of words and the way your stanzas are positioned. Very creative of you. You sound like some kind of genius.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

thanks! you are too kind

[RileyRedding]

This piece was beautiful. The body works well in conveying a concise, and clear message, but what I loved most was the flow. The flow comes out like you're rap battling, or rallying troops. Such a distinct narrative voice, that refused to be anything if not heard.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

I'm so glad you felt that! I've been thinking about recording myself speaking some of my poems. I'm so excited to know that my voice does come through when I write!

[RileyRedding]

You should! I feel like a monumental narcissist, but I'd really like to record audio of my work too. The first goal of my own personal narrative is to try my best to sound distinct in my own voice. I feel as though no matter how clear your voice comes across though, audio is the only way to insure that it's heard the way you wrote it.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

I totally agree.
I'm getting excited thinking about hearing you or any of my other favorite writers on this site read their work. It would be pretty groovy.

[Lookwithinsight]

"To lodge firmly into softened skulls
Where they'll grow and bear fruit
Or fester and bear filth."
Love that line and the poem all around. If the depth of words could ever really be summed into words, this would be it.

[Lizzie Mitchell]

this means a lot! thanks!