Whoever said, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," must've been illiterate. The physical pain sticks and stones can inflict heals completely, and the only inkling of the assault ever occuring may be a scar or limp (if you really got your ass kicked). The human brain actually forgets what physical pain feels like after we experience it. We remember something hurt, but we don't remember the exact sensation. Too bad we have yet to evolve that self-defense mechanism for emotional pain brought on by words. I'm sure you precisely remember the pain of each heart break.
The power of the spoken and written word is timeless and awesome. And I don't mean "awesome" the way we use the word in everyday speech - This pizza's awesome! That new song's awesome! I mean "awesome" like Webster defines it: AWE·SOME adj \ˈȯ-səm\ 1: expressive of awe 2a: inspiring awe b: terrific, extraordinary
My 11th grade AP English teacher once said that the most powerful weapon a person can have is the ability to master words; one could get whatever his heart desires if he knows how to ask for it. I've never forgotten that lesson as it proves to be true time and time again. By stringing together some seemingly harmless words, we can command pain, destroy hope, create love, nurture dreams, and so on. Ultimately, words have the unparalelled force to either save a life or annihilate one. It is this transcendent power of language that's always fascinated me and fueled my torrid love affair with the written word.
Turns out I'm just a power-hungry bitch after all.
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