I’ve been tinkering around with a bit of poetry lately. It’s not completely random; I’ve been thinking about ways I can develop my skill as a wordsmith, and poetry as a sort of discipline offers a good way of changing and developing my relationship with language. Its a part of developing the skills of preaching ministry.
This sonnet plays on that theme, of my relationship with words.
Sonnet No. 1
O Words! The entire code of verbs and nouns:
I love their gift: capacity to bless.
And cursing too! Such acrobatic sound!
The feeling formed, words can do the rest.
My friends – these words – I started with but few.
Like “Mama”, “Daddy”, “dog”,- then “Yes”, and “No.”
So over time more numerous they grew,
I hope my mind will ever make it so.
I try to pick with care which to deploy,
Which best my thoughts (some truth, at least,) convey.
A careless word can all my world destroy.
And so my friends do not your friend betray!
For if by words I’m bound to live my life,
I pray they steer me free from verbal strife.
