Words are something I think about a lot. They can be powerful. They can be hurtful. They can be deafening. They can build someone up. They can tear someone down. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain and words fly out before I can give them a second thought and I can’t take them back. Sometimes no words escape my lips at all as I lack the energy for conversation. I want my words to be meaningful, inspiring, helpful, and kind. Not just the words I type on here, the words that come from my mouth.

I started something new with my teenagers about a month ago. I send them a song a day. Music is important to me. It holds memories, feelings, and deep meaning. They aren’t growing up in an age of sitting around listening to records or waiting for their favorite song to come on the radio to add to a mixtape. MTV isn’t what it was in the 80’s and 90’s. They aren’t using YouTube to listen to music either, at least not most of the time. So, I started sending them songs. Good songs. Classic songs. Rock songs. Love songs. Pop songs… Before I pick a song I give it a listen to refresh my memory. I listen to the melody and the lyrics. Some songs I’ve listened to and thought, nope not today. I’ve sent them Otis Redding, Eric Clapton, Hootie and the Blowfish, Lionel Richie, Rascal Flats, Train, Tracy Chapman, Franki Valli, Five for Fighting, Nickleback, Travis Tritt, Metalica, The Beach Boys, The Smashing Pumpkins, Santana, The Beatles, Sarah McLachlan, Ben E. King, Weezer, Van Halen, REO Speedwagon, Tom Petty, The Offspring, The Four Tops, and more. Sometimes they send songs back to me. Songs are full of words and lyrics that can connect us. Songs can be powerful, meaningful, and inspiring.

My Words for Wednesday is to think about my words more before I say them. Does anyone else need to do this today. Let me know I’m not alone in this department by leaving me a comment. Have a great day!

Poem a Day, Day 12, A Sound Poem

Fingers strum and tap

but we don’t think about

those fingers

only the sound that

is generated

when those fingers hit their notes

clear, rich, poetic, brilliant sounds

fill the air

penetrating the senses

the sound of a good song

touches the heart and soul.

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