Our words

Our words

our words define us

separate or connect us

they can trip us up
or help us fly

words can deceive
or make us believe that
anything is possible

or nothing is

they can fill us with love
or empty us

make us laugh or cry

we can wear our words
with pride

or disappear inside them
the perfect place to hide

who decided words
‘ could never harm us?’

I’d rather break my bones
with sticks and stones …

than feel the loneliness
of thoughtless words
 
or the pain of silence
that accompanies them

bones can be healed

a wounded heart
takes a little longer to mend.

 

Amanda Edwards