broken

broken

words are not things
like rocks and ships
that mean hard
or we sail at dawn

goodbye doesn't end
with saying
as though thought
could set the tides

we grow roots
into each other

where wither that
when dreams awake
alone across the rolling days

fine edged speech
does not mend the ache
within a clumsy heart
that dies by just that much

Dear Learner,

For me, this poem is about the significance of sensitivity and communicating sensitively. We need to be careful when we choose our words. There are times when we say things that we think are not hurtful but are hurtful for the person we're communicating with. We must err on the side of caution. 

The poet expresses this sentiment very gently. The opening lines of this poem speak about the nature of words. He then highlights how "we grow roots into each other" through words and get connected to each other in a profound way. He also speaks of how "fine edged speech does not mend the ache" to express how hurtful words stay with the person who has been hurt by them.

We live in the age of communication and yet we are not sensitive enough to each other as human beings. This poem is special for me because it reminds me of how hard we need to work -- on an on-going basis -- to ensure that we don't hurt anyone's sentiments with our words and cause permanent injuries that other words cannot heal later.

If, like me, you're an Indian and English is your second or third language, read the poem and listen to the poet's voice several times. If we don't forget a poem, learning has happened.

Warm wishes from a fellow learner,

. serah .