Words and Silence

I shared this poem before, but it seemed fitting given the recent parshiot of Tazria and Metzora.  
(repost from 6.6.11)

Words and Silence

Baruch She’amer V’Haya Ha’Olam

Blessed is the One who Speaks and the World Becomes

We recognize the power of words

−Their ability to build up

                        And to tear down

−Their ability to create

                        And to destroy

−Their ability to give birth

                        And to kill

We recognize the nuances of silence

−What is said without words

−What is un-said

                        deliberately

                        hesitantly

                        mistakenly

Because we did not give

            the Words

a chance to be expressed

Because we were too busy

            Speaking

for someone else’s words to be heard

We recognize

            −the Power of Silence

            −the Strength of Silence

            −the Din of Silence

Baruch s’maksheevh v’mamsheech liv’roh et ha’olam

Blessed is the one who listens and

            Continues in the creation of the world

5 march 2011