Arlene Corwin writes

Words Strangely Disallowed

We Jews are disallowed

To write the G_d word;

Always dash ‘tween G and d. 

The power of this word anomalous, mysterious,

A paradox with opposites at base:

A coin reversed,

Construction and destruction,

Positive and negative,

Each inherent in the other.

In the Brooklyn neighborhood, 

This Brooklyn kid heard,

“Sticks & stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me”

God the word

Ought to be heard:

Written, reaching out, 

Shouted not in euphemisms but with motives pure;

Pure as you are at the moment,

At the moment, as you are.

Words a segment of the whole;

Depending on recipient and notwithstanding.

Symbol holy or unholy, 

Word spreads,

Reaching minds and hearts and heads,

Becoming part of spine, nerve, ligament.

You never know who’ll take it in,

Where it will go, where it went

And how it will be used:

Abused by some, amused by some…

But in the end and carried onward,

Force inquired into,

Loved, revered as true,

It’s God! God! God! — and you.