For me, this poem explores the relationship between language and the balance of power…how we use words to limit and oppress and the potential for something different. How much do we over-rely on words (even in our private thoughts) to the exclusion of a direct sensory experience of our world? If we rely more on our senses to process the world around us, might we begin to see something new? Can we begin to imagine a way of being human that does not encompass a sense of entitlement to power or a deficiency of power for anyone?
Power
When the wind
Takes the power
Of these words
And sweeps them away
Then, power will have elevated
Losing the burden of control –
Of naming
Of characterizing
Of categorizing –
Then, power will be ubiquitous
And unowned
And un-owed
© H. Hennenburg, 20 June 2019
One thing I love about poetry is that any given poem has a different meaning for every reader. After I first published this poem, comments from readers reflected quite varied interpretations, none of which were similar to what the poem means to me as the writer. That is as it should be. In this case, however, I felt compelled to share the above process note about my own interpretation of “Power”.
Joyfully linking with Poets & Storytellers United.
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I love the thought of such a wind… there is way to much power that is owned and personal these days.
Now I hear Scorpions playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4RjJKxsamQ
Sounds wonderful! (If Utopian.)
I would rather make it one fifth of the way to utopia because we dared to envision it than stay stuck where we are because we wrote it off as a pipe dream.
But if words are swept away, what then?
If we use fewer words, and we learn not to use words to limit and oppress, perhaps we start to use our brains and senses in ways that we currently neglect, and maybe we discover something new by doing so.
Where does power come from? Where does it go? Who is able to hold on to it? Who should not hold on to it? So many questions! Perhaps ubiquitous power is best, after all.
Powerful! For some reason, the ending especially resonates.
I love the idea of those words taking wing, gaining power and sharing that power with every soul they come in contact with. Enough souls can be moved to create powerful winds then, all from those first few words hopefully and earnestly given flight.
The wind taki g away, leaving one powerless might not be such a bad thing. If our hearts will be steered to God
Thanks for dropping by my blog
Muchlove
There is so much strength in words and loves that can fly untethered. Freedom is a fantastic source of power, and one of the best reasons to always come back.
I love the feeling of just doing what we love and letting it go where it will.