Only Words

Let me take you on a journey
from the hopes of a nation
to the spirit of one family.

From Washington addressing the troops at Valley Forge
to my great-grandfather preaching from a North Carolina pulpit:
It’s only words.

From Jefferson drafting the Declaration of Independence
to my grandmother writing a poem straight from the heart:
It’s only words.

From Kennedy’s appeal to a generation of youth (“Ask not”)
to an e-mailed message of love that arrives from my mother
at just the right moment:
It’s only words.

Ephemeral as the paper on which they’re written
(or only passing digital dreams)
words remembered, words forgotten
are drawn from the well of creativity
to inspire unity of purpose —
for a family…or for a nation,
gaining strength by bringing us together,
and becoming, finally, much more than
Only words.

Copyright 1999 Karen Thompson

Note from Karen: "Only Words was awarded third place in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) American Heritage Literature and Drama Contest for 1999. I consider it an honor to have received this award from the NSDAR American Heritage Committee, and I'm very proud to be a member of the NSDAR (and a chapter member of -- and webmaster for -- the Joseph McDowell Chapter in Hendersonville, North Carolina -- as well as webmaster for Tamassee DAR School) -- and to be part of the NSDAR's worthy endeavors on behalf of children and education. If you would like to find out more about the work of the NSDAR in America today, please follow the link below to the Society's home page."

National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR)

[Return to Welcome to K's World ]