Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Empty words...

are worse than no words.

16 comments:

Andrea said...

Here's the poem I mentioned in my comment on your "A poem I didn't write" post.

Author is unknown but found in the book Apples of Gold that I mentioned.



If you have learned to walk
A little more sure-footed than I,
Be patient with my stumbling then
And know that only as I do my best and try
May I attain the goal
For which we both are striving.

If through experience, your soul
Has gained heights which I
As yet in dim-lit vision see,
Hold out your hand and point the way
Lest from its straightness I should stray,
And walk a mile with me.

Joe said...

Empty words are all I get when I talk to myself.

Jean said...

Thanks, Andrea... this is a great poem. I'm gonna look for that book.

HB - oh, pshaw :)

Joan of Argghh! said...

H-boy, I talk to myself when I want to win an argument.

Hello, Ms. Jean!

BTW, Jax ain't all that scurvy, honest! I took a huuugggee cut in pay to work here, though. At least I have almost two more hours in my life, since I work two miles from home.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the silences are more filled with meaning than the empty words, though.

There. *s* My bumper-sticker thoughts.

Anonymous said...

... word....

Eric

Jean said...

Hi Joan!... I've been spoiled for years. Only 4.5 miles to work for me... 15 minutes, max.

Irrelephant - yeah, I see your point. But, I'd rather hear nothing than listen to bullshit.

Atavist - uh huh.

Eric - yeah.

Anonymous said...

Jean, there I can wholeheartedly agree with you. Honest quiet is one of the most wonderous things I can think of, whether alone or with someone.

Jean said...

Irrelephant - indeed, sir.

Anonymous said...

Jean, have you ever read any Archie Ammons? He has a great poem called "Unsaid" about hearing in silence what isn't being said. It's from his collection "Selected Poems." If you don't know it, let me know and I'll email it to you (I couldn't find it on line anywhere).

Jean said...

His name sounds familiar, but I don't think I remember reading any of his work. Would love to, thanks.
Actually, I've been working on a poem for a while that speaks to the subject in a way.

Anonymous said...

I'll send it to you tonight.

curmudgeon said...

*

AspergantuS said...

Your words ne'er empty
Filled with wisdom and foresight
Across lands of mind

Haiku

Jean said...

Mick - what a lovely compliment... thank you!

RAINY CONVERSATION said...

and sometimes more hurtful than a blow to the head,,,,