Poisoned Quills ©

26 letters,
Ever-forming words,
Infinite sentences. 
Hundreds of hidden meanings,
Thousands of lost scribbles, 
Uncountable blessings. 

Multiple languages 
That each wield these 
Words 
As a weapon, 
As well as gift. 
A stinging curse 
Meant to cripple 
The opponent, 
But also  
The sweetest ambrosia 
Meant to heal
Humanity. 

These combinations of whorls
Are sewn together with 
The promise of 
Conviction,
To be the cooling balm 
For every scholar’s scab,
And the burning salt 
To sear every bleeding wound,
To offer closure, 
To give pleasure, 
To be an outlet, 
To begin a chapter, 
To maim the other, 
To poison the mind, 
To heal the soul. 

A few words 
Can result in red wrists,
A few varying choices 
Can result in bandaged hearts. 
Whichever path taken, 
The power of tone, 
And the precision of intention
Can manipulate meaningless words 
To be injected as poison, 
Either toxins 
Or medications.