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And if today we speak at all,
let us speak in golden leaf.
Let’s converse in low clear stream,
whisper in rose-hip pink.
And if we speak at all today,
let’s slip mulch between each word,
aware that what we say will grow—
how powerful the words we sow.
And if we speak at all,
let’s speak in mountain, speak in field,
speak only words that lift and heal,
speak only words that lift and heal.
And if we speak,
let’s listen for the quiet in between—
plant tulips bulbs in the silences.
And crocuses. And grace.
And any words with thorns in them,
let’s set them down. Let’s lose them.
And if our words don’t open like sky,
let’s let the sky do all the talking.

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer co-hosts the Emerging Form podcast, the Stubborn Praise poetry series and Secret Agents of Change (a kindness cabal). Her poems have been featured on A Prairie Home Companion, American Life in Poetry, PBS Newshour and Oprah Magazine. Her most recent book, Hush, won the Halcyon Prize. One-word mantra: Adjust.

8 Comments

  • Remembering how our words grow… oh, yes! We must know they proceed beyond us, carried like treasures or weighted shackles. Yes, let us speak grace and empowerment, kindness and encouragement! Thank you, Rosemerry!

    • Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer says:

      Thanks, dear friend! like treasures or weighted shackles–just so, these syllables we share.
      Hugs to you,
      Rosemerry

  • EMILY JANE STYLE says:

    And if we speak,
    let’s listen for the quiet in between—
    plant tulips bulbs in the silences.

    A nice touch, for the Dutch-Americans among us! It is an absolute delight to find Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer published here, in the Reformed Journal. Yeah & hooray! My life has been graced for the last couple of years by reading her, as she writes a poem daily – sent (free!) via email and anyone else can too! Bowing to how her pulpit is the page. Thank you RJ for publishing her! And, Rosemerry, ongoing cheer for all the ways you teach.

    • Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer says:

      Oh dear Emily, thank you! I am cheers-ing you back–so grateful for your Emily ways, for the ways in which you speak.
      Rosemerry

  • Again, your words are welling up the truth before me as I sit before a silent sun drenched morning rising! TY ❣️

  • Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer says:

    Thank you, dear Stella! Thinking of you in the sun drenched morning rising! Wishing you great joy! I am so grateful for all the ways you share words with the world.
    Rosemerry

  • Jack Ridl says:

    Oh my cherished friend! It’s not that your work gets richer; it’s that it stays richer.
    Thank you.
    Jack
    And thanks for the kind affirmation.

  • Daniel Meeter says:

    Now that is a poem. Both grounding and uplifting