Words Hurt Like Sticks & Stones

Words 
sharp as daggers
cut wounds so deep 
time cannot heal yet
mend broken hearts
calm troubled souls
right gravest wrongs
relax anxious psyches

Words
trample spirits 
quench passions yet
bring hope
reinforce faith
build character
uplift expectations

Words 
pointed but often missed the point
curses from unbridled tongues yet
God-sent blessings in times of need
complimentary when deserving and
when not

Words 
vile graffiti
uncouth expletives yet
lovers’ compositions 
dreamers’ poems
sublime rhyme paradigms:
nine fine lines dine yet pines 
sweet wines; splines align sines

Words 
a fool’s cheap wine
a complainer’s vinegar yet
champagne of the wise
sweet honey of the optimist:
prized for insight and
cherished for good sense

Words
offer fake meat to the silly
serve empty calories to the 
   self-centered, self-indulgent yet
refresh the mindful
encourage the soulful
nourish the thoughtful
sustain the watchful

Words
destroy beauty
slash life’s canvases yet
inspire creators of splendor 
motivate inventors of wonders
excite painters of hopes
stimulate dreams minds can conceive

Words
split relationships beyond repair
smash friendships yet
bind two as one when
   braided with understanding
   interwoven with love
   knitted with forgiveness

Words 
when foolishly uttered, squandered 
if malicious or deceitful, criminal yet
priceless treasures when
thoughtfully
selflessly spoken
timeless if
skillfully written  

If I’m remembered only by my words, 
shall I choose words that
lift up or tear down
encourage or demean 
praise or curse?
Words are my legacy:  Lord grant me 
wisdom deciding which to use