The Power of Words

For years, people have been using writing as a way to convey their dreams for the world and what others must do in order to achieve those dreams. Many of these writings have succeeded in their goals. Writing is a powerful tool that can help affect change in the world.

After reading "The Bombing of Baghdad" I felt saddened for all of the innocent victims killed during the bombing. This was exactly June Jordan's goal. Her poem was purposefully filled with emotional appeals in order to convince her audience that the bombings in Iraq were wrong and to stir up antiwar feelings in the reader.

"What anthems or lullabies soon can restore us after we killed the children?" This quotation comes from an untitled poem by Rose Styron. What Styron is asking is how a soldier can celebrate a victory or feel content when innocent people, namely children, are killed in the process. Stryon uses the image of dying children to make those engaged in battle feel ashamed for killing such innocence and beauty.

To many people, writings like these may seem like words on a page. However, hidden in these words are important messages that have the power to change minds and hearts. Words have much more power than most people give them credit for, and maybe if we all make an attempt to understand what is trying to be said in writings, we can take the first step in trying to carry out the author's wishes.

From Son to Mother (Price of a Child Poem)

Mommy, Mommy, where have you gone?
Why have you gone away?
I don't know how I'm going to survive
Without you here today.
Mommy, Mommy, please come back
I'm sitting here alone.
Being alone with the Bat and without you
Makes me feel less at home.

Mommy, Mommy, it's been months
And not a day goes by
That I do not hope for you to return
And dry the tears that I cry.
Mommy, Mommy, where are you?
Why have you been gone for so long?
Do you not love me anymore?
Have I done something wrong?

Mommy, Mommy, I'm no longer a slave
Yet I feel not an ounce of joy
For what good is my freedom now
When I'm a motherless little boy?
Mommy, Mommy, you set me free.
The battle has finally been won
But you're not here to take me home.
Am I no longer your son?