He gave up
Using his fists
His mouth became
His go-to agent
But
Words did not
Come easily and
They left him
Halting and stumbling
Yet
The new agent
Of change he
Must master and
Use to speak
He
Pulled up calm
With one inhale
Closed his eyes
Gathered his thoughts
He
Chose few words
Each one potent
Arrested every person
That could hear
‘Listen with your eyes
Hear with your heart
I won’t need words
If you do your part.’
His
Stuttered words echoed
In my ears
Painted permanent pictures
In my mind
Even today they
Grab my heart
Shake me awake
And into attention.