Just Read

This poem speaks a lot about who you are and how words affect your life. You made me understand so much about your situation with this poem. Even the mute and the deaf are affected by words, this is a powerful truth. It's an inspiration to come across such a beautiful, heartfelt expression.

Paul, this is a truly inspiring piece and I feel that it's straight from the heart and experiences which is unfortunate because you had to witness these things but in a way it's fortunate because you can not only live to tell the tale but you tell it well.

The title drew me in and I did as I thought I was told.

I believe a few words can open your eyes,
a few can break your heart and also
uplift your soul
^^
A very unique opening and yes, very true. A few words can open your eyes, break your heart or uplift you or all at once. Words are very powerful.

A lot has been written for the dumb to be
wise, the hopeless to have hope
and for some, to bear testimony
^^
Love this.

Unlike other writers, I write so I cry freely
knowing am sharing my pains and
frustrations
^^
Here you tell us you write to relieve emotions but I don't think it's like anything I've seen. It's real emotion.

I write for those who have no voice,
the orphans from south Sudan, the grieving
mothers in Iraq and all those forgotten to
everyone but me
^^
Here you write for those of us who have been forgotten in the world. Really deep and from experience, I feel.

My compound is a theater of sorrow
one by one, they line to tell their tales,
with gloomy faces, they try to force a smile
all the while bringing tears to my eyes
^^
I like here how everything is gloomy and how raw this actually is. Also, that you write so openly about the sorrow faced in this world.

One is mute and deaf but I still try to
understand his words as he struggles to whisper
In his hand is a small book and he looks to
me as if telling me 'just read'
^^
This made me cry for all those 'forgotten' people in this world.

Take care, Em

Its been a while I haven't read from you and luckily I didn't miss much as you didn't post new poems apart from this one. All the same missed your writes.
Below is my perception of the poem.

First 2 Stanzas:
The subject is been emphatic here, saying realization comes from the knowledge of some words. Some can make you; boost your self-esteem and light up your optimism whilst others mar you; gets you insecure hence feeling despondent.

Words are written for diverse purposes. It can be to smarten people; to become prudent and insightful or perhaps make the dispirited to be positive, encourage to persevere and succeed. Better still give a person a reason to be thankful to God for giving one the fortitude to succeed despite adversities and live to tell your testimony to the Glory of God thus impacting on someone.

2 Middle Stanzas:
Here you give reasons why you write, you write to relieve compressed emotions, an outlet to your worries and thoughts on circumstances you come across.
You write for all those who're subjected to predicaments in their countries; wars, riots, natural disasters e.t.c.. People that others hardly care about their plights, you write for them; the voiceless.

Last 2 Stanzas:
This is my favorite, you incorporated a metaphor in the 1st line, giving it a creative beauty and appealing to ones vision too. People trooping into your compound, narrating their stories wearing an anguished expression. Trying to fake a smile hence getting you teary as well.
Amongst the people, one is deaf and dumb but you managed to comprehend him as he mutters his words. Holding a book in his hand he gestures with his eyes for you to 'just read'. You'll fathom.

This is soulful but still hopeful. It delves on the diverse plights of people, be it good or bad through the act of writing and reading. The power behind words written or typed written, how it can breathe life into a desolate soul, how it can encourage the insecure to be confident, how it can liberate the enslaved, how it can nurture the wilting pride, just different strokes for everyone.

You have a generous and caring heart to speak and help the voiceless.
Keep it up and God bless your heart for been empathic.
Kudos! :-) ...  

I've read a lot of poems but this one seems so genuine and from the very soul of the writer. Enjoyed it

I like this alot...very inspiring...keep writting:)5/5