The Power of Words

I understand the power of words...the power in the pen, in the turn of a phrase, a smile and relatively cordial attitude (that is how it is in my head, you understand) can be transformed into a saddening sorry mess of downturned lips and sunken cheeks. Then comes the waterworks. Oh, the Niagara tear falls from the victim of childhood curt cruelty. The weeping on a random Tuesday or Wednesday in January back in the 1980s when I was less grey, more a mop of the darkest untamed brown hair you'd swear was black. I did not have my patented belly hanging down either but had the appetite of a ferocious beast.

It was in response to a simple question, asked with such unrestrained glee and hope, which is still a little painful to recall. That I responded and shattered that poor boy’s insufferably positive outlook, perhaps for a short time, maybe a day, week, month, maybe year? Who really knows. He may still be reeling from it even today or perhaps it was lost in the annuls of time. It was just a split second response, that cut him like a knife - so visceral, so public -as he bled not blood but those salty tears of disappointment and exclusion. The follow-up was the blade pressing down to the hilt.

The simple question of "Can I come to your party?" and the quickest answer I've ever given to anything in my life, Mr Indecisive that I am, was "No" and even quicker was the follow-up to "Why not?" with "Because, I don't like you!".

Oh, the surge of shame that courses through me for a moment when I think back to that time, standing in line, to go to lunch or maybe back to class. The light breeze running along the narrow corridor and the calmness in the air that was punctured by the sudden, unwarranted attack (I would say unprovoked, but he did ask the question...he did ask the question).

The power of words is unmatched even by the power of science, war, famine, even death. When you collect the right words together, in just the right way, you can shatter someone's whole soul. Imagine the power and what could happen if you wielded that power for good.

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Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: True Story. (Admittedly, I had to write more to make it pass the minimum word count) It did happen, almost exactly like that. Something I am not proud of, but something that came out when I just started writing yesterday. I've gotten into the habit recently, if not working on a specific piece for a challenge (and sometimes even when working on a specific piece for a challenge) of just writing and seeing where it takes me, what comes of it. Stream of Consciousness-style, like many of my most recent poems. So, it was funny that this incident replayed in my mind again. I guess it's because I've been tackling the uncomfortableness of shame as part of my Addiction Recovery programme.

I still feel shame about this incident. It's less than the shame I felt days, weeks and months after it, but still there a little. Which just made me think and really reminded me of just how powerful words can be. We all know that, I'm sure on some level, as writers and readers, but it matters. As trite and preachy as it sounds, words have power and it's important to remember that. It's also important to remember that it's not just what you say, but the way you say it.

Anyway, Thank you to the people who constantly support me and read my work and interact. I appreciate you all. Even if I'm bad at keeping up with replies and reads at times, I just want you all to remember that.

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