Terry Flood Poet Rhyme

Words

Words are intangible when thought or spoken
But take shape on paper or screen
A promise that’s made that in life may be broken
For words can be harsh or serene 

Words strung together may feel like a hug
Might warm you like coffee that’s sipped from a mug 
Others may hurt or offend the unarmed
Toss a coin… and be charmed… or alarmed

But use the wrong word where it shouldn’t be heard
In some lands they’ll put you on ice
But, in the west, words can be free as a bird
Though we’re all free to say something nice

Words can paint pictures, the pallet is vast
To let us envisage the future, the past
Words can transport us, in need of no fuel
Yet words can be loving and words can be cruel

So words are intangible?… Who told you that?
If words can lift spirits or leave spirits flat
If words can tell stories and make peace… or war
Intangible? PHOOEY… won’t say that no more!

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Andrea Dietrich January 27, 2026 at 10:16 PM Great topic and approach to it. I did one on words many years ago. Wish I could remember the name of it Terry Flood January 29, 2026 at 8:25 AM Might I suggest “Words” ? ;-) Thanks Andrea

Gershon Wolf January 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM From words, ideas. From ideas, inventions. From inventions, change. From change, progress. From progress, now that's a question!!!! Terry Flood January 29, 2026 at 8:26 AM That is indeed the question.

Tom Cunningham January 16, 2026 at 10:02 PM Mightier than the sword if used the wrong way. Tom Terry Flood January 22, 2026 at 11:02 AM Thanks, Tom, this started out as one of ten quick scribbles to test out the ‘logic’ of the leader board (or whatever it’s called… you know, all the avatars of what used to be the most active members, but now appears to indicate nothing). Anyway, this write seemed to have some substance so I put a bit more effort into it. Terry

Ilene Bauer January 14, 2026 at 9:45 AM this is great, terry! love how you turn your opening line upside down with wonderful examples in (naturally!) flawless rhyme... Terry Flood January 14, 2026 at 5:09 PM Thanks, Ilene, I have a big problem with this new Soup… namely that leader board. I expect to see you there, along with Gershon, Andrea, Constance… the list goes on… but no… I see pictures of newbies (no problem with that) who have posted five poems over three days. Anyway, to prove a point, I set about writing ten rubbish poems in a day to see if that got me on the leader board… then this popped up. Haven’t posted those ten yet… gotta wait for a day when I’m feeling stroppy ;-)

James Peranteau January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM I don't use them dear thinker...they've cauze'd growth in me when I felt fine undetectable...oh theze...their other pneuma's thinks....likewise..."happy New Year"....much love