Words

Words.
Sometimes they come so quickly
like flaming arrows
that cannot be retrieved.
With them,
men inspire nations
and persuade the multitudes
and great and mighty things are accomplished.
Words
can bring about destruction
and inflict wounds that never heal,
echoing forever
in the minds of men.
From them,
joy springs forth
like a cool and refreshing stream,
washing over one's being,
reviving hope,
and bringing relief to the spirit.
Words
delivered by solemn messengers
can fall like giant oak trees,
inescapable,
crushing the heart,
smothering the life breath
of loved ones.
Through them,
love is expressed,
and warmth and security strengthen us.
Yet, words
are sometimes insufficient,
meager, hollow, impotent,
and cannot free the heart.

"And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26