Sticks + Stones

5/25/2012

"Sticks and stones may break my bones
but words will never hurt me."

Um, someone got that all wrong. And shamelessly
kept the wrongness alive for generations.
Words can hurt, help and everything in between.

In commerce, they're often used to manipulate a purchase.
In anger, they're often used to attack or defend.
In love, they're often lost... and replaced with action.

That's the best and highest use of words,
when they graduate into vital verbs. Deeds
that actually mend bones.

3 Comments

Derby Stewart-Amsden link

5/26/2012 08:08:41 pm

Words most hurt when they are carelessly used, when we forget to test out the tone of them with our inner ear before spilling them on the earth - or, all too often, flinging them in peoples faces.

I prefer to use words as I would use stitches in sewing, to mend a cherished garment, to create beautiful patterns, to make useful coverings and gifts lovingly wrought

Erika Harris link

5/27/2012 12:39:25 am

Your stitchings here Derby, in this comment, are quite gorgeous. Thank you for the lovely, and effective, metaphor.

Suzanne Matheson link

12/31/2015 11:56:38 am

What accurate imagery you have offered here, Derby. Thank you! Testing words in our inner ear before spilling them on the earth -- this is of tremendous concern to me.

And such beautiful imagery -- it makes me thing of "a stitch in time, saves nine". Words carefully chosen, can heal, make whole and strengthen a person in moving forward. Thank you!

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An Existential Journal

The question "How are you?" is PROFOUND.

But it has been watered-down to a synonym for "Hello."

Forced or fake auto-responses of obligated okay-ness are expected.

(And if you are going through something tragic, it really doesn't matter! Every social encounter OPENS with this well-established Ritual of Insincerity.)

The question "How are you?" prompts an answer that begins with "I AM _____________."

This means many times each day, you are invited to SPEAK THE MOST POWERFUL STATEMENT that can be spoken of yourself.

And the socially-expected thing to do, is be QUICK + SLICK with your answer.

For a change... TAKE YOUR TIME, and tell your truth. ✍🏾