Words
Sticks and stones the children chant
To ward off verbal taunts
No power to hurt the rain of words
Or torrent of abuse
Too young to know the wondrous truth
That language conquers all
You take your brush or pencil stroke
And conjure magic art
Create from nothing beauty
To lift my human heart
But I’ll select from other tints
A palette of all hues
And mix and juxtapose
String a sentence, choose a verb
Harsh consonant or soft
Lovely lilting, plosive pop
Or hiss of sibilants
The poet’s art has music euphony discord
Plus colour bold or wan
From tip of pen the stanzas flow
In every shade of mood
For words can sting and hurt, destroy
Together rage and roar
Or paint a water colour wash
A soaring symphony
Can soothe and comfort empathise
Communicating love
Or sing a song of praise and joy
For blessed poet’s art
Sticks and stones the children chant
To ward off verbal taunts
No power to hurt the rain of words
Or torrent of abuse
Too young to know the wondrous truth
That language conquers all
You take your brush or pencil stroke
And conjure magic art
Create from nothing beauty
To lift my human heart
But I’ll select from other tints
A palette of all hues
And mix and juxtapose
String a sentence, choose a verb
Harsh consonant or soft
Lovely lilting, plosive pop
Or hiss of sibilants
The poet’s art has music euphony discord
Plus colour bold or wan
From tip of pen the stanzas flow
In every shade of mood
For words can sting and hurt, destroy
Together rage and roar
Or paint a water colour wash
A soaring symphony
Can soothe and comfort empathise
Communicating love
Or sing a song of praise and joy
For blessed poet’s art
23rd February 2010, Hounoux
How grateful I am that you have the words my friend.
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