Words have the power to hurt or to heal. This is a truth acknowledged by philosophers, psychologists, religious figures, and the common man or woman throughout the world since the beginning of time. The Buddha is quoted as saying, “Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” Contemporary Christian music artist Toby Mac in his song, “Speak Life,” says, “Mountains crumble with every syllable, hope can live or die.” What gives words such strength? I’m sure that if we were to research it, we would find many plausible explanations steeped in psychological tradition and scientific study that shed light on why words can be such an effective tool to hurt, to heal, to influence, and to control. But there has to more to it than a sanitized, clinical explanation, hasn’t there?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3, NIV). I am the likeness of God my origin, a frail image of the Word that spoke the universe into existence. I am a soft whisper uttered into the tapestry of creation, as is my neighbor. When I look upon my neighbor, I am haunted by what appears to be my own reflection and the shadow of my origin. I am drawn to it. I connect with it by the words I use; and, through the words I choose, I have power to harm or to heal. I have become like God. Such is the power of words.
In “Poetry and the Origin” on July 20, 2018, I said, “Poetry comes from the deepest place within, that place where the origin was meant to reside.” Poetry associates my words with my origin and opens the way into the reader’s heart. It is here, inside the walls where there is no sentry or gate, that my words take effect. Poetry touches my neighbor in his or her deepest, most vulnerable place. Poetry can remove their sadness, fill their loneliness’s empty void with belonging, or transcend their sorrow with joy. Such is the power of words in poetic form. Such is the healing power words possess.
A. E. Fonner
Poetry associates my words with the origin and opens the way into the reader’s heart.
