words

words cannot hurt
a mind trained
not to react
to what is beyond
its control;

what is spoken
can cause no pain,
for you choose
how the words land
and your response -
understanding, 
they are not yours -

choosing to be water
unimpeded by a rock
is your opportunity
to show your strength;

own what is yours,
allow the rest to slide away -
these unworthy words
cannot change you

Action

words once spoken
ride the wind

moving from ear to ear
they can become distorted,
they can become legend,

treat them with care;

prefer doing to speaking,
there is more weight,
there is more substance
in action

Words

I do not remember
every word I've read,
but I know how I felt
about the ones that have mattered;

I still feel the flames
they stoked within,
how they took my heart in their hands
squeezing until they brought tears,
how they made me invincible
and brought knowledge of the world;

without these words
I would be lesser