The Power of Words

Words are a powerful thing
They say something is only
As powerful as you let it be
But everyone has felt the sting
Of nasty words, comments, and insults.
No one wishes that upon themselves.
Yet we never hesitate to spit daggers
Into someone else's already damaged heart.
As if our own suffering
Wasn't enough to make us finally see.

On the North side of the city
Tears leaked out of Eric's
Cold, tired eyes.
Tears that he had worked
So hard to keep held in
Now betrayed him as they
left streaks down his face.
Every day his father scolded him,
slapped him with words
that were never carefully thought out.
Words that were formed
In the heat of the moment
Were causing a world of pain
In a young man's soul.
Why can't you be more like your brother?
Why haven't you cleaned up your mess?
How come you only made a B on this test?
Can you not slouch for once?
Hit after hit
rolled out of his father's mouth
Unaware of the sharp edge
he gave the words.
He didn't know how hard Eric worked,
Day after day,
only to hear
that his best wasn't good enough.
But when his father would set him down,
on the worn couch in the den
And turn to Eric
Red stained test paper in hand
The words that made Eric wince
Flowed from his father's dry lips,
"I'm very disappointed in you."

On the South side of the city
A beautiful girl named Hannah
Wears herself down
With a busy schedule
Her mother has formed for her.
Never time for rest,
always go, go, go.
Placed in dance lessons,
piano lessons, beauty pageants,
and modeling auditions
Without ever consulting Hannah
about her actual desires.
None of the hectic activities
she was in,
were what she really wanted to be doing.
Her real dream was drifting away.
Vivid colors of hope
Were replaced with the dull grays
Of hopelessness and fatigue.
Never would she be able to pursue
being a doctor.
For where was there room
for Miss America in the operating room?
She was missing the support
From whom should have been
Her biggest fan.
Her mom.
When she came off the runway
Only a runner-up ribbon in her hand,
Or was late
Because she lost track of time
While researching her dream job
Her mother's eyes would dance
With anger, resentment, and disappointment.
And all too well
Hannah knew what was coming next.
"I'm very disappointed in you."

As people suffer in silence
All over the world,
As false words seep into their skin
Filling their lifeless veins
And poisoned minds,
Hopeful eyes grow dim
With the crushing weight
Of the pressure to be perfect.
Some say that
Sticks and stones
may break my bones
but words will never hurt me.
But talk to someone
Who's heart has shattered
Because of careless words
thrown their way
And they will tell you
a different story:
Sticks and stones
may break my bones
but words
will completely
destroy me.