Like hailstones hammering a pond
in a series of cold punches,
words can stir a soul from its stillness - wakening it to its senses.

Words can feel so cold - like winter -
or they can be so warm - like summer.
Words can make a faint heart quiver -
like that touchy, quirky quicksilver.

Words can spill joy -
like that child who giggles
and wriggles when tickled -
or they can cut deep -
like that sharp knife -
driving one into a rampage.

Words can kill - like that matador
or that charging, angry, wild bull.
But kind words bring out that beauty
that lies hidden beneath that rubble.
© Pappo