The whispers of love endear more than love
The screams of violence hurt more than violence
The shards of insult penetrate further than abject hatred
The words of sympathy only add to the agony of the moment

It’s only words and yet they count
Far more than what they describe
It’s only words and yet you cannot ignore
For what they dutifully inscribe

Sometimes words precede action
And at times words follow
And in both cases they weigh heavier
And sink deep into the furrow

But what of the unspoken and the unsaid
Which sometimes speak louder than words
A mere flick of the hand or a raised eyebrow
Can create a real storm in a cup

Subir Chakraborty
5th June 2025