The Maliciousness of Words
Double phrases, single words
puns intended; metaphors
synonyms and silly rhymes
juggling words for a simple line…
Some words are peaceful
approach you on tip-toes
quietly knock then enter
the way a humble crowd
slowly fills and swamps a room
travelling the mind
drifting through the corridors
then queuing in a line
obediently waiting
for their harvest time
Then caught up in a scribble
entangled in a phrase
victim of a printout
when having to emerge again
some forgotten or dismissed
or purely filed away
Words can be so spiteful
narcissistic enemies
self-righteous teasers
a single word-parade
stuck in a heavy dictionary
on an unturned dusty page
flaunting their six syllables
an intricate masquerade
of stubborn little units
wanting poems custom-made
Yet triggering elation
a spectacular word-snatch!
but no! it’s an autistic word
not wanting a true match
a rigid little bastard
that sends you off the track
Other words are lyrical
their mirror is the song
their evening gown’s the muse
they are winged with tune
seducing to be beautifully
woven into verse
so tempting for a ballad
for lines that sound so nice
but super-model boring
prettiness – their vice
Captured by a feeling
and sketched superficially
they basically, put bluntly
feed off of the melody
lacking inspiration
pict’ring soppy memories
Some words are hilarious
a teasing nursery rhyme
try to calm the whole bunch down
it’s like tossing custard-pies
they won’t sit still and be serious
cause funny, is their degree
can’t settle for a neat, fine verse
and it ends in absurdity
in a brain-racking riddle
in a stupid potpourri
Double phrases, single words
puns intended; metaphors
synonyms and silly rhymes
juggling words for a simple line
Frances Livings © 2007
Recording credits:
Artist: Frances Livings
Album: During the Hours
Label: Moontraxx Records, 2010
Frances Livings – voice
Brandon Coleman – piano
Press:
CD review, During the Hours (Frances Livings) by Michele Wilson-Morris,
The Entertainment Bank
Frances Livings’ During the Hours featured on: Poet Hound, August 21, 2012
Buy your copy here:
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