Words

By Aspiringwtr

Fri, 08 Feb 2019
  • 488 reads
3 comments
 

This is a poem about how people assign a "weight" to the words we use.




when i was younger, i looked directly in your face and i said, "i need to PISS"
you shook your head and told me
"THAT is not a polite word"

when I was a little older, I whispered "DAMNIT"
and somehow you heard and told me "THAT is a bad word"

when I was even older, i shouted "FUCK"
you gasped and said "THAT is the worst word"

but when I think of a word that is not polite,
i think of shush

when I think of a word that is bad,
i think of ignorance

when i think of a word that is the worst,
i think of dead

we don't think of words the same
but we understand the effect of them

Certificate 18
Poem
Love

Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

Exactly "We don't think of words the same but we understand the effect of them."

And what about different languages? Words that have the same meaning, different nuances, the same word is strong or not for example to say "My God" in Afrikaans that is really really strong people would hardly dare use it like that. The English is weaker and more often used however the English "O my God!" is the more acceptable and French, "Mon Dieu!" is quite everyday and acceptable. Thing is you can't really translate between different languages. Each word has all its nuances, hues and shades that differs in each language, yes, and weight of course!

And what about the horrible language all the time in the movies. You kind of get used to it hey? Slips into your own mouth.

&&

 

Submitted by Aspiringwtr on

I really like the comparison to different languages. I think "American" English and "British" English are especially intriguing because we have so many of the same words..but words we consider acceptable or used so often there.

Aspiringwtr

Submitted by Nolan on

Yes American English mixed with British can be confusing. MossCoww Afganieshtaan etc. I-Raack. 

Of course the "weight" of a word also depends on the context, say a word like sh8t or hell and watnot, idiot! pig! maddav imagine at home with the family in pub with the boys watching rugby or in church at a wedding or the school classroom.

Aspiringwrt keep writing see you! &