avatarMark Tulin

Summary

The text reflects on the enduring and pervasive nature of words, likening them to kudzu for their ability to invade our thoughts and evoke deep-seated emotions and memories.

Abstract

The poem "Words Like Kudzu" delves into the powerful impact of words, which, once spoken or written, continue to resonate within us. These words are described as "dead spirits" that linger, capable of unexpectedly influencing our emotions and thoughts. They are compared to kudzu, a fast-growing vine, symbolizing how words can proliferate and become an integral part of our psyche, affecting our memories and self-perception. The poem suggests that words have the capacity to both enrich and overwhelm our experiences, much like the invasive plant that can both nourish and smother. The text is a contemplation on the lasting influence of language and its ability to shape our reality.

Opinions

  • Words are portrayed as having a life of their own, continuing to affect us long after they are uttered or inscribed.
  • The author conveys a sense of wonder and perhaps a hint of caution about the invasive nature of words, which can both enrich and complicate our inner lives.
  • The comparison of words to kudzu emphasizes the uncontrollable spread of their influence, suggesting that their impact can be both beneficial and detrimental.
  • The poem implies that words are deeply intertwined with our memories and emotions, highlighting the profound connection between language and human experience.
  • The mention of a writing prompt by Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) indicates that the poem was inspired by a creative challenge, suggesting a collaborative or community-driven aspect to the creation of this work.

Words Like Kudzu

They grow on us

Photo by Emma Frances Logan on Unsplash

Some words become dead spirits. Once they leave the mouth or pen, they float around for an eternity, impinging on us by surprise. Hard wired to our brains, they send emotions from one synapse to another, triggering memories, flaws in our character, flashing back to awkward periods in life, causing strange embraces, tangled in their gifts and aspersions; they grow on us like kudzu, uncontained and invasive, smothering the moment.

© 2022 Mark Tulin

Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) inspired this poem with her WritingPrompt: where will your words go?

Poetry Prompt Response
Words
Emotions
Memories
The Brain Is A Noodle
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