A Powerful Weapon

I know this isn't a poem, but it's something I felt like I wanted to say.


   They say, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." To me that phrase speaks of anything but the truth. For half of the people, if not all, living on this Earth would have been a lot happier if they were true. Words are like a knife, when you use them, you won't be able to mend the cut to perfection, no matter how much you tried. 


      People experience this type of bullying mostly during their time at school but that doesn't mean you don't observe, or go through, it again as the years go by, though. Remember walking down your school halls your first day at a new school? Remember being scared of what others thought of you, what they said behind your back or wondering if they were going to like and accept you? It is the words you shared from that day on that have made you friends or foes. For example, remember that one kid who always made you feel small, by saying things like "you're ugly", or "you aren't supposed to exist," or "you don't belong to our group"? Remember how much that hurt? If you were lucky enough not to have been a victim of a bully's words before, though I highly doubt it, then imagine it. Imagine the pain of looking at yourself in the mirror everyday, judging your appearance and attire because of other peoples' thoughts and words that clouded your own. Imagine each word being like a hand; if the words are good then the hand will reach forward and aid you or help you in many ways than one, even if it's just helping you become happier. On the other hand, if the word is mean, then the hand closes itself into a fist and punches you hard. Some people even question their heritage and feel disgraced from their origins and ancestors for the harsh way they are judged, though there is absolutely nothing they could've done to change that, and it wasn't in any way their fault. How would you feel if you were called lame and nerdy just because you're part Asian or a gangster, because of your colored skin? Or even a brat simply because of your wealth? 

  
     Now, the kind words are just as powerful, though people hardly seem to appreciate their existence until it's too late. However, when you look back at all the compliments you've gotten, can't you remember how great a feeling you got when you felt appreciated? How great a feeling it was being recognized and not ignored? Even small things like when you are called beautiful or smart can make a huge difference in a day when you’re feeling blue. Aren't words of support what keep you going on most of the time and help you follow your dreams? Whether they were from friends or family or even complete strangers, their words made you feel warm inside. That is what's important; they made you feel lighter, joyful, and found life more bearable. For without the power of these kind words, you wouldn't have realized the power of the dark ones and would've felt empty and lost. 

  
      Nowadays, people use words too carelessly and do not acknowledge them to be the powerful weapons they truly are. For words, once spoken, can never, truly, be taken back.  As Patrick Rufus had said, “Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts.” So be careful what you say about others as they have powers beyond that of our own.