Dear Commons Community,

Here is a poem sent to me by the author. 

Lots of deep, heartfelt commentary.

Tony

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Words

By Patrick Blessinger

Words are the foundation of our existence.

Our ideas and dreams are forged

in the furnace of our minds.

Thoughts are electric!

Billions of tiny sparks flashing

through our brains every second,

igniting the kiln within.

Every word strikes a flint,

lighting a fire,

to warm or to wound.

Words can light the way,

or destroy it in a blaze.

Words can kindle embers,

to thaw cold hearts,

or burn the bridges to others.

The tongue is a forge,

turning despair into hope,

or dreams into ashes.

Words can spark a revolution,

or scorch a nation.

Words can inspire courage,

or fan the flames of fear.

Words can build civilizations,

or reduce them to cinders.

Words can enlighten our path,

or blind our future;

the choice is ours.

Historical Note

Words are uniquely human. They are never neutral. Words are more than mere sound vibrations in the air. They are the product of our values, beliefs, and attitudes. They shape our emotions and actions. Words and phrases are loaded with layers of meaning. From sensory input to electrochemical signals to thoughts to spoken or written words, language is the means to understand ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Author’s Note

I wrote this poem to depict the power of words. I chose the fire metaphor because fire is uniquely human, and it has multiple purposes. Words can heal or harm. The power in words gives us both freedom and responsibility. Every word has the potential to change the world, for better or worse. It is our responsibility to use words thoughtfully to create a more peaceful world.