Words

We meet on equal playing fields,

we strivers wielding pens,

with timid hopes, exposing thoughts 

to harsh or candid critique.

The selfsame words are ours to use

in manner of our choices.

They lay in helpless, inert piles 

until maneuvered by our pens.

Just as the paint and brush await

the artists soulful touch

or notes without composer's skill

are only noisy sounds;

just so a simple word can be

an ignored out of fashion thing,

until lifted by the poet's skill

into phrases for the ages.

Some have used proud words in prayer

that others use in curses.

We poets take them charily

and in literature we mold them.

The gifted take a simple word

and recognize its virtue,

They can combine, connect and phrase

as no one has before them.



Dear Reader, take these offered words

and mentally assess them.

The author hopes the unity of thought

will have made them worth writing and reading.





(Reworked and expanded July  30th, 2014

From short rhymed poem written earlier and

named Mystery of Words.)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A   Avatar
April 28, 2016 at 12:15 AM
Joyce, well done on your win. Luv ~LINDA~
Rycroft Avatar
April 23, 2016 at 4:03 AM
Thank you for your words xxxxx
A. Sharma Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Congrats on ur awesome win Joyce..
Raven Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 3:47 PM
Hi Joyce, Congratulations on your win in the contest. I enjoyed the read. Hugs....Mike. XX
Rycroft Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 3:17 PM
well done congrats x
Negron Flores Avatar
April 19, 2016 at 1:52 PM
Congratulations Joyce
Walker  Avatar
August 20, 2014 at 1:36 AM
Well done Joyce... Belated congratulations on your win... Verlena
A   Avatar
August 6, 2014 at 10:31 PM
NICE WIN...PD
Nance Avatar
August 4, 2014 at 3:48 PM
Back again to applaud your win :) Hugs :)
Kendrick Avatar
August 4, 2014 at 4:48 AM
Congrats...Sara
De La Luna Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 8:44 PM
ah words, Joyce, how grateful we are for them. beautiful write :)
Kendrick Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 6:04 PM
Words can make or break us just according to how they are used..Great expressive work..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara
Devonshire Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 10:47 AM
Dear Joyce, indeed it is the words, the thoughts behind them and the way we use them that connect us in poetry. Hon, this is a beautiful poem and it means a lot to your target audience here. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend. Love, Carolyn
Smith Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 9:47 AM
I love you words about writing...beautiful Joyce...hugs Tim
Dietrich Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 1:28 AM
YES, that is exactly it what you said in that one line: we MOLD words. I love that about writing and poetry!!
A. Sharma Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 1:18 AM
And back again with huge congrats Joyce on this very thoughtful write!
Puddifoot Avatar
August 1, 2014 at 6:56 PM
well, I would never have guessed this poem was yours, joyce! I was judging this contest primarily on imagery, so this poem placed rather lower than I would have liked, but I simply had to place it because I liked what you had to say about the act of writing poetry, and it is very well expressed and put together...in any other contest of mine it would have placed higher; just a little lacking in the imagery that I was looking for, but congrats on your win all the same! :)
Gibson Avatar
August 1, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Joyce, I enjoyed this very much. I love words and think of them as bricks and mortar with which I build a structure that reveals my heart and mind. You put this all together beautifully. Congratulations.
Richards Avatar
August 1, 2014 at 5:50 PM
Joyce, your words are always golden......this is filled with wonderful wisdom and always so worth reading!
A. Sharma Avatar
July 31, 2014 at 7:37 AM
Wonderful write Joyce ! Words r indeed a treasure we hv ! Keep digging for more,, keep craving for more !!
Bauer Avatar
July 30, 2014 at 8:33 PM
i was surprised to read a non-rhyming poem from you joyce, but i enjoyed it very much. your words were definitely worth reading!
Nance Avatar
July 30, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Words are a gift that poets use to express everything! we are so lucky to be able to mold our words and you do so very my sweetheart :) hugs!
Callus Avatar
July 30, 2014 at 4:03 PM
Lovely poem Joyce! Words are a precious gift and it is up to us to make the best use of them, in whatever context or situation we find ourselves in. (Am reminded of song "Words" by the Bee Gees...sometimes its only words that we have to express our love...) Take care. // paul
Callus Avatar
August 2, 2014 at 5:25 AM
Hi Joyce! back for another read and with congrats on your fine win!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace