The Pen; a Sword

Words can be like cereal. Delicious right out of a freshly opened box. Or stale after sitting in a cabinet for months. But...

The Pen; a Sword

(The sword; a rose)

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

The pen a sword

the sword; a rose

emotion births our art

We write to feel, remember, and remind

to cling to this sparse humanity

that seeps from withered soul

Words are my sword

as well as my rose

to pierce the heart, or slay it

In illustrative thought I grant dreams of faith

In virulent influence propaganda is my weapon

Within a deluge of alliterative vocabulary

Storms dark and bleak consume

Fear is a cloak I wear very well

Hope is a cloud I cling to

But within love I find

abstract and simplicity

Complex and mystery

Whether rich or poor

great or small

The world moves on from us all

But our words shall always remain

for...

Poetry is the song of language. 

Author's Note

My muse Cate placed two items in front of me and asked, "What best defines your emotions whenever you think of me?" I looked down at the table and saw before me a sword and a rose. And without a doubt I picked both of them up and smiled. Ah poetry. Feel free to comment, troll, or leave thoughts. All are appreciated.

Reviews

[Nima.Hope]

Wise quotes are seen in this poem. It remembered me of a Persian Proverb that says: With swords you can own heads but with pen you conquer hearts".
Thanks for sharing it.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

That is such a beautiful and true quote Nima. And it speaks to the power of art. One must always find wise contemplation before speaking to the world, because what you put out into it will be a reflection of your heart and the way others will judge you. In their eyes you will either be the sword or the rose. Hate or love. Most art comes from a beautiful place inside and reflects our true nature. Always be true to you. Thank you again for your kind words on this poem.

[Nima.Hope]

It makes me sad that we do not put enough time to solve our problems by conversation and prefer weapons rather than enduring each others thoughts. If pen and talk could replace the weapons, what a beautiful world we could have.
I hope best things for you my friend. I enjoy your poetic style. My pleasure. You're welcome!

[Temperance]

Yes, my friend, the pen can cut like a sword or, make many fall in love with the sweet words written by the same pen. Poetry IS the song of language or.....it is the language of song. So many songs are sung using the words of a poet. We use our emotions and, memories to move others as well as ourselves. A very nice write Mr. C. Thank you for sharing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

And thank you for sharing your kind thoughts on this piece of poetry. We as writers often seek to elicit within our audience a sense of humanity and its characteristics. Most aptly defined by emotions. Melody and ryhme often capture our imagination because it speaks to us in a deeper sense and plays to our memories and dreams. Poetry for the most part is infused with our better aspirations. It is a lyrical weave in search for a heart to call home. I feel wholeheartedly that the world has never needed poetry more than it does now in this moment of time. We must be reminded of what we are as living creatures in this universe of chaos. Hope. Thank you Temp for sharing your thoughts and this wonderfully enlightened conversation with me, my poet friend.

[Temperance]

You are most welcome and, I agree with everything you have said. T.

[Mauricio Montoya]

The pen sometimes we need the sword in our words but beautiful like a rose with her thorns, don't let me get carried away love how this piece comes together, Excellent write.
Thank you for sharing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much Mauricio, and I totally agree with your thoughts. It is so true, and it is what I exactly had hoped the message of this poem would represent. Thank you again my friend.

[Mauricio Montoya]

Hey you made me think

[Stuart Munro]

Been reading a few , very good poems

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Stuart. I appreciate your comment and thoughts on this piece of poetry. It helps me grow and refine my skills as a writer. So thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Stuart Munro]

It’s been a poetic pleasure reading your meaningful well written poem

[Red Brick Keshner]

wielding the sword to good and hands roses of light to the dark.. this isa poetry's legacy. Thanks for sharing.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Frederick for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem. I really appreciate it.

[Toni.S]

Awesome, deep thoughts. I also wear my fear in the form of a cloak. Does it (fear) ever go away?

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A profound question and one I wish I had an excellent answer for. But I can only convey my perspective and that being wisdom and knowledge lessens the fears within us. For we often fear what we do not know. Writers have often used their fears to create masterpieces. To illuminate the unknown and bring it to light where its power is less. Emotions are so power a tool, especially for artists who seize upon them to create. Using them will make the art resonate within the heart of the audience. Thank you Toni for your comment on this piece. I really appreciate it.

[Toni.S]

Totally agree, fear is the absence of knowledge.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you wrote this for all of us who love and live this genre.
thank you, Carlos...

It is a fine piece of work...so much truth poetically imparted.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I did. I know at times many may be frustrated and feel if anyone is really listen to them in the art they create. And some don't always take into consideration the words they put out in the world and the influence they may have on others. As an artist I know we bleed for our art, we give and it takes a piece of us. I know the frustration and hesitancy on whether we feel we truly make a difference in the world. But than I'm reminded of the multitude of writers who never gained renown in life, but after. Those whose words affect future generations, as well as artists. As a youth I felt story telling was the pinnacle of the art form. I now see as an old man that poetry is our most human aspirational gift to the world. It can affect the heart whether it is one word long, or a sonnet. Thank you J for your comment and this conversation.

[John the Baptist]

As you indicate, words can be used in different ways, some diametrically opposed to one another. Think of St. Paul vs. Josef Goebbels. Words can both heal and hurt. And indeed, the world does move on from us. Maybe our words will remain. It sure would be nice if someone read them occasionally, though.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I totally agree with your comment JB. It can be a bit disheartening that our modern-day generation would rather look at prank videos on YouTube or fashion tips on Instagram rather than take the time to actually read a book or poem. We would be a much more enlightened and empathetic society if people just read more. Art is so important in these times I feel. For we are starting to drift apart from one another. We need to be reminded that we are greater together than apart. Thank you as always my friend.

[keith]

to quote jefferson airplane
'The human dream
Doesn't mean s**t to a tree'

another good write poet friend, another good rite!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Keith for your comment I really appreciate it. Can't argue with Jefferson Airplane their musical poetry pretty much rings true. Man, do I miss the music of those times. Many of the musical artists than were pure genius. And truly unsung poets of their time. Thank you again my friend for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Carlos.
"Whether rich or poor
great or small
The world moves on from us all"
The above lines are wisdom shared. We can keep up with our world or fall behind. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP for the comment. That is one of my favorite lines in the piece, along with the ending. Because they hold two indelible truths. On any given day we can be the sword or the rose, but we all meet our end. Art and poetry is our eternity. And we should never be afraid to share it. Thank you again.

[Coyote Poetry]

The lines were amazing, and you are welcome.