Words matter,
sly winks silence not.
Words hurled into sea of humanity
ripple inhumanity.
Build waves tumultuously
till tsunami destroys.
Words matter,
crowds riled to group-think.
Vitriolic spittled slogans,
us-them denigration.
Barbed words
create the wire.
This era,
tomorrow’s ancient script.
Our ever-living shame.
De hosts Monday’s Quadrille at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. Today’s prompt word is “wink.” A quadrille is a poem of exactly 44 words, sans title. Pub opens at 3 PM Boston time. Come join us!
I am not a poet but I love what this says. So pointed. and I agree. ❤
LikeLike
Words do matter. Love the ‘group-think’. You have hit on so many important points.
LikeLike
This is super Lillian. So many points to ponder in this short miracle. We have a lot to be held accountable over.
LikeLike
I think words have never mattered more… sometimes I feel like we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder…
LikeLike
Damn rights–words matter more than ever. Ironically it’s a good time to be a poet, a witness to the chaos. Your 44 is so sturdy, so clarion–I applaud your truth, your words.
LikeLike
“Barbed words
create the wire” is stunning, Lil.
LikeLike
Oh, I agree, Lill – words matter – and we prove that here at the dVerse Poets Pub. Sterling lines:
‘Words hurled into sea of humanity
ripple inhumanity’
and .
‘Barbed words
create the wire.’
I hope we see some sense in the mid-term elections – for America and for the rest of the world.
LikeLike
Words can do a lot of damage. Good warning about them.
LikeLike
I applaud your words and spirit, Lillian! ❤️
LikeLike
Words absolutely do count, Lillian.
LikeLike
This packs a punch Lillian- excellent! On the eve of tomorrow, I am praying for a wave- a BLUE ONE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our current society does make me wonder how the future will view us. The line about “us-them denigration” stands out to me.
LikeLike
So potent–and so true! The last stanza says it all so well!
LikeLike
Words do matter indeed and can create a hate-filled response. Good luck on elections tomorrow and hoping for the best.
LikeLike
Oh yes…words matter! Hurled into humanity, ripple inhumanity….such a strong poem!
LikeLike
“Barbed words / create the wire”. Perfect.
LikeLike
So true. Will see where it all leads tomorrow. Well said.
LikeLike
Your message is strong, each phrase packed in relevance to our world today. I especially liked “Vitriolic spittled slogans”. We wait on the edge of our seats here in Canada too, so much out of our hands, except to pray for better days.
LikeLike
The “group think”, “us/them denigration” and “barbed words” are truly shameful…on all sides! Maybe poets can bring words of truth, hope, and healing to our world 🙂
LikeLike
This is a tight 44-word combo. I share your sentiments. I hope for reason tomorrow, but I have no reason to be optimistic. Well-written.
LikeLike
words can sway us, powerful words do that powerfully
LikeLike
So true–words do indeed matter!
LikeLike
I love “crowds riled to group-think.
LikeLike
Wow! Words are containers of power and they do matter! Love your take on this prompt.
LikeLike
I like this Lillian, though the sledge hammer makes me a bit n-n-nervous… 🙂
…rob from Image & Verse
My “wink”
LikeLike