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Words Are Tough, They Can Take It
By Roy Charles Henry (b. 1938)
Throw the words skyward,
watch them fall kicking up the dust.
Jump up and down on them.
Words are tough, they can take it.
Float them on a pond, or
skip them across the surface.
Let them sink into the muddy bottom.
Words are tough, they can take it.
Leave them deep in the dripping forest,
on the mossy shadowy side of a tree,
Among the mushrooms and scorpions.
Words are tough, they can take it.
Shoot them high like a fiery rocket
exploding in the dark and twinkling sky.
Dying embers they disappear in the darkness.
Words are tough, they can take it.
Release them into the sky
and watch them balloon out of sight.
Sparkling and colorful in the sunlight.
Words are tough they can take it.
Open your heart and set them free
As kicking young colts they run.
You will find something else to love.
You are tough, you can take it.
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