What I love: words

By now you’ve likely picked up on this, on my ardor for well-chosen words. You’re sharp like that. :)

This maxim pops up from time to time around our place: “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts.” Which drives at a larger, deeper truth, I know--but also demonstrates the raw power of words, their ability to maim or heal. Their weight is impossible to overestimate.


So in celebration of my love for words, here’s a poem j’adore. Found it as a freshman in high school, but it’s still poignant, maybe even more so today.

“Love is not like that, is not like
that easiness-in-getting
along that they call
Love; it is not like that, is not
like that desiring-companionship that
they call love; it is not like that, is not
like that desiring-of-one-beautiful
that they call love; it is not like that.
When will they learn that love is not
like that?

Ask St. Valentine—he was beheaded
because of love; ask St. Francis—
call him a sissy, but he became
a beggar because of love; ask
all those who know and they’ll tell
you that
Love is not like that; ask Jesus Christ.”
--David DeBolt


So I’m thinking I’ll pull a switcheroo on that “Daily Groaner” in the right column...with my apologies to all who appreciate a good, dry joke (which is maybe all of one person: Kristin)...and let “Brain Fodder” take up residence instead.