Blewuu... Gently

Yaaayyyy! So today is World Poetry Day! In view of this I would like to share a poem by one of my favorite poets, Kofi Anyidoho, who’s my professor and one of my mentors! :) Drumrollssss....

Blewuu... blewuu... Akofa, blewuuu...

Words are birds: they fly so fast too far

for the hunter’s aim. 

Words are winds: sometimes they breeze gentle

upon the smiles our hearts may wear for joy.

They fan the sweat away from fever’s brow.

They lull our minds

To sleep upon the soft breast of Earth.

Yet soon too soon words become the mad dreams of storms:

They howl through caves, through joys, into shrines of thunderbolts.

They leave a ghost on guard at memory’s door.

Therefore gently... gen-tly... Akofa, ge-nt-ly...

Take care what images of life

your tongue may carve for show

at carnivals of weary souls.

Blewuu is an Ewe word which simply means 'gently' and Anyidoho addresses someone-Akofa, and advices her on how to practice caution when using words.

There’ve been times I said things and even wrote things to people which I regretted later, you know. Words that you wish you could take back, words you utter and almost immediately feel horrible for. This piece reminds me to pull my brakes on words that tear down rather than build up and words which are never meant to be said. 

I pray you also remember to mull over your words before uttering them especially when you feel negative emotions like anger. Whenever we feel like spewing out harsh words, let’s remember to take a deep breath and try really, really hard to respond calmly. I know.  It’s tempting, even sometimes weirdly relieving, to give a deep cutting retort to someone when they offend you but let gentleness win the battle. Let’s heal with our words, not break people down with them.

Please don't go breaking wounded hearts with your words. Pinky promise?...

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.” Colossians 4:6

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.” Proverbs 10:19

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24

“I tell you, on the day of judgement men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12;36,37

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21

Let's learn to always read and appreciate good poetry! Have yourself a Happy World Poetry Day!!! xoxo

Delali.