I really like this Jane. It reminds of how we speak of freedom and rights. Yes, we have them, but only in the ways prescribed by power! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this, Trish. So true, as you say, are the power of words. Our tending to them is also a tenderness that we extend to ourselves, and each other.
A misspelled avocado!! My husband and I did a juice diet once and I had labelled bags for storing various veggies in. Whatever way I wrote avocado it looked like 'acocado' and I still call out 'acocado!' in delight ten years on! Love that your words brought this smiling memory to me today 🥰
This is splendid, Korie.. You do such amazing work blending spiritual and world, life and spirit. In the beginning was the word, and you carry it forward so well.
The prompt is words, and I have none.
Funny, that - that I ever thought I could have,
as if something as slippery as a word
could possibly be owned by anyone.
They visit me, and I am lucky
if they simply allow me to
move them around.
I have none 😊
So lovely, A. I know those slippery words, too….
My goodness, A. This is so brilliant. Though we may not own the words, you steward them so well.
coven of she-wolves
listen to their mother speak,
her low howl pushed out
from pregnant belly, words curled like
smoke through damp canyon cave,
circle of bone
became stone
in human hand,
became thin lines
I carved upon those walls.
I feel I am part of this coven kate!!
So happy to finally meet one of them in human form 😍
Whoa. Fully transported me somewhere else, an unexpected journey. Just amazing.
Yes - transported! circle of bone became stone!
This is powerful, Kate. “Circle of bone/became stone/in human hand.” Splendid. This poem comes from deep wisdoms deep magic as Aslan might say.
Here
The place
I try to be
Me
The one
I hold
Gold
An iridescent
Shine
Line
Of poetry
Offered - heard
Word
Or words
I put them here
Love this! Such presence.
Thank you Margaret!
Kaitlin your poem today absolutely filled my heart! Thank you 💜
This is so creative and clear, Sarah. You have such a perceptive eye and spirit!
Use Your Words, Jane.
But talk nicely.
Use Your Words.
But don’t make a scene.
Use Your Words.
But don’t really tell me what you think.
Use Your Words.
But we’re not really listening.
Use Your Words.
Only if it fits with our opinion.
Use Your Words.
To make us money.
Use Your Words.
But don’t be disruptive
Don’t be angry
Don’t tell us how you really feel.
Use Your Words.
But be nice
Be pretty
Be perfect
Be quiet.
Use your words / Be quiet - excellent juxtaposition.
All those dang "buts"
Yes!
Powerful. Thank you.
Wow. Powerful. I really feel this.
Jane, the power of poetry!
I really like this Jane. It reminds of how we speak of freedom and rights. Yes, we have them, but only in the ways prescribed by power! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Larry for taking the time to read my poem and comment.
Words
Early on I learned that words were dangerous.
Saying the wrong thing could bring down wrath.
Not saying the right words could mean destruction.
So I silenced my voice in certain spaces.
I chose what I would say with care.
Now I have come to see that I must speak my words.
They are my truth.
Like the baby robins in their nest, trilling “feed me, feed me.”
Like the crows calling “Caw, caw” as they fly over the treetops.
Like the rooster over the hill, greeting the dawn each day.
Speaking need, speaking life, speaking joy.
Karen, bringing the birds into your poem gives it so much life! Here’s to speaking our words!!
Thanks, Trish!
@m”Speaking need, speaking life, speaking joy.” Indeed. Your lovely poem ends as powerfully as it begins! Thank you Austen, for sharing!
Oh wow, this really resonates Karen! Thank you for speaking life 💜
Thanks Sarah!
Every word is a treasured polished stone.
We caress them to bring us comfort.
We arrange them beautifully with great care.
Sometimes in our hurry, we forget to give them the attention they deserve.
Our neglect brings darkness to our world.
With tenderness and attention, we nurture them back to their shimmering selves.
What a joy their presence brings.
Thank you for this, Trish. So true, as you say, are the power of words. Our tending to them is also a tenderness that we extend to ourselves, and each other.
Hi Christian,
May we be good tenders today!
Thank you for reaching out.
Trish, this is such a thoughtful poem . You are an exceptional nurturer of words!
Words were my bread and butter
Conjugated verbs
Declension paradigms
Derivatives displayed in dioramas.
A book filled with how words came to be
And silly facts that amused
Like an -s to make nouns plural
And verbs for only one.
___
The rhythm of words making meaning
Only known in sound
Tattooed into my arm
In symbols that must be explained.
Vestiges of a life built around words.
___
And then a space to release them into the wild.
Words that might have meaning only for me
Or perhaps a passing connection
Phrases with no syntax apparent
Or punctuation to bring order to chaos
But allowed to breathe
To sit on the page and be
Something
___
No longer annoyed by a laid or lain
Or a misspelled avacado
But loving each letter for what it is
Belonging or not
Learned or only guessed
Used to share a thought
In structure
Or in singularity
From me to you
Or only me
🥹 the soul’s journey through words. I really love this.
A misspelled avocado!! My husband and I did a juice diet once and I had labelled bags for storing various veggies in. Whatever way I wrote avocado it looked like 'acocado' and I still call out 'acocado!' in delight ten years on! Love that your words brought this smiling memory to me today 🥰
Love this Margaret. This line — But allowed to breathe
To sit on the page and be
Something
Such a reminder to let the words breathe and to be something more. To leave them and come back to them for something more.
And your last line. The reminder that the words may only be for ourselves. Thank you for this.
Margaret, you have such a special gift! I read your poem and think of a life in words. Your poem reads to me like a fascinating story!
Words
I lose them
I drown in them
I say too many of them
I trip over them
I pick them wisely
I throw them like spaghetti at the wall
I play with them
I fight with them
I sit in silence while they swirl in my head loud and chaotic
I breathe them in-slow and methodical
I exhale them out–fast and erratic
Even if they fail me completely
My soul will be etched with their beauty and horror
Telling my story like hieroglyphs on a cave
May I never stop listening for your soul’s story
Love the imagery
....like hieroglyphs......
Nice.
Words
So many words
A day full of
Listening,
Seeing,
Hearing,
Saying,
Reading,
All the words.
My head is full.
I sit down in the garden
And search for a space-
A quiet space-
Away from the noise
Free of the words
And listen to the birds sing.
💚💚 Resonate so much with this .
I love this, Claire. I so need this quiet garden, too. Thank you for your beautiful poem and the heart that creates it.
Thanks Larry
Unspoken, they exist
In whispers to ourselves
They can weigh us down
Or ignite the flame of resistance
Directed at another they can
Heal and wound in equal measure
Directed at us by others
The same is true
For many, keeping them hidden
Is safer, because, when spoken
They lose the veneer of protection
From hearing the truth
Written down, they cease
To be their owner’s own,
They empower the leaderless
Manipulate the follower
We choose them carefully
Then shoot them like an arrow
When we haven’t the strength
To hold them back
They can signify nothing, yet
As meditations of the heart
They are acceptably authentic
Gifts of the spirit, with us always.
"Written down, they cease
To be their owner’s own,"
So true! But funny how we try to cling to them non-the-less.
I appreciate how this is written, as a riddle!
Today I am 43.
The words, like the years,
are placeholders
for glasses of water,
piano keys,
misattunement
slowly disentangled,
a thousand kindnesses
in the meantime,
countless books,
the dawn of email,
dorms and a townhouse,
wisteria magic,
people so loved,
some who loved me back,
risk and rebuilding,
projects and prayers,
sudden unsought energy alchemy
with those here and Beyond
sharing secrets to dis-still
concepts into flesh.
Happy birthday. Love your imagery of years being placeholders
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful reflective poem for the celebration of your years, and the many more to come.
I had words until I read the word, “words”
I can write until I try to do it on purpose
I can never think about where the words are going, until they spill out and stare back at me
I stumble over them, wade through them
And figure it out from there
When I try to word on purpose
They bottleneck in my throat
Sometimes overflow from my eyes
I don’t have words, even though
They’re right there
Very wonderful words, HC. A poem crafted so creatively!
Words—
the choral director shouts!
Make sure you sing them clearly
for that is what it is all about.
Do not linger on the consonants,
Rather, hang on lovingly to the vowels.
So, everyone knows the meaning of what
the notes and words are portraying.
Wonderful, Nancy! Finally, I understand what the choir directors were trying to teach!
Sharing a poem called “Logos” written some time ago…
These words,
They carry the weight
Of meaning,
Invoking depth,
Stirring the heart
To levels beyond
Finite thought
And daft emotion,
Expressions of
The Unknowable.
These symbols,
Akin to ancient signs,
Convey a message
To those with
Ears to hear,
Reaching out
With syllables
And definitions
Formed in the quiet
Before creation.
Without them
Nothing was spoken
Into existence,
And the formless void
Would remain,
As it was
In the beginning,
Spirit hovering,
Awaiting the life-giving
Logos, “Let there be…”
This is splendid, Korie.. You do such amazing work blending spiritual and world, life and spirit. In the beginning was the word, and you carry it forward so well.
Words wielded well, heal
or hurled with malice, harm.
Choose them carefully.
Marvelous, Kate! I always admire the power of a short poem done well!
words
so many uses
formal
stylized
regulated as grammar
informal
flowing
unrestrained
liberated as poetry
revealing
pains and struggles
isolation and conflict
narrating
celebration and laughter
joys and adoration
describing ourselves
braggadocios and pretentious
or humble and unadorned
justifying
misdeeds
repenting
mistakes
expressing to others
disapproval and judgement
to profane and curse
giving life to others
forgiveness and restoration
to sanctify and bless
words from
our history
betwixt and bless
or from other cultures
when put words aren't enough
han and shalom
mostly for me
In prayer
seeking connection
with the divine
hoping for
new life and redemption
peace and communion
but also
words for
ice cream
because it is delicious
and there are
so many flavors
words
Peanut butter ice cream.
most special words.
This is exceptional, Steven. Such depth and i sight, weaving through wisdom and joy, wonder and watching. Thank you for ending with ice cream!