Words

Composed June 2005, while waiting for the bus at Hölderlinstraße in Tübingen, Germany.

Ah, that my words were honey-sweet
  my true love's heart to turn
and that my words were acid-sharp
  mine enemies to burn.
Ah, that my words were water-soft
  to soothe the soul in pain;
and that I knew the words of power
  to call the wind and rain.
Oh, that my words were iron-strong
  an army to command,
and brought sweet wisdom's noble light
  to those who understand.
That my words could but lift the poor,
  humiliate the proud,
make strong the mind and speed the soul
  enraptured to the clouds.
Alas! my words are ashes
  and these lines are but a start
to blow the cold, grey ashes
  from the embers of my heart.