The Words We Use Here

The words we use here
are not the electric kind
the ones that have the power to open a can of beans

But we have words here
that have the power to open closed minds
Words to surface our hidden assumptions
Words to challenge our prejudices
Words to open us to new insights
Words to bless us with moments of clarity

The words that we use here
are not the explosive kind
the ones that are used to
open a pass through the stone mountain.

But we have words here
that have the power to open closed hearts
words to soften a heart of stone
words to heal a broken heart
Words that encourage and forgive and bless
Words that invite and comfort and cajole
Words that uplift and instruct and question

Like a poet with pen set to paper
let us be open to the words
that will say what needs to be said
that will say what needs to be heard
Like a poet with pen set to paper
Let us open our hearts and minds