DIDACTIC: "THE WISDOM OF THE RIGHT WORD" BY IKECHUKWU FRANK

A word can lift a soul where mountains fail to rise,

Unlock silent dreams and open blinded eyes.

Not every truth belongs in every passing hour;

Wisdom gives the right word its transforming power.

The loudest voice is seldom Heaven's chosen sound;

The deepest seeds grow quietly beneath the ground.

Speak after listening, answer after you discern;

The greatest messengers are those who first must learn.

One sentence born of love can heal a lifetime's pain,

Restore broken families and awaken hope again.

While reckless tongues may shatter what years could not repair,

The right word plants tomorrow with compassion, truth and care.

Every heart is different; every season has its key.

The weary need encouragement, the proud humility.

The broken long for kindness, the fearful seek a light;

Wisdom knows the person, the moment and the right.

Before your lips release a sound, let purpose lead the way.

Let every word leave peace behind when it has had its say.

For voices fade like echoes, but their harvest still remains;

They build enduring legacies or leave invisible chains.

So choose your words with reverence, let grace become your art.

Speak not just to human ears, but to the human heart.

The world is changed forever, not by those who speak the most,

But by those whose timely words become the hope that others hold.

© Ikechukwu Frank

- Nigeria.

This poem teaches that words possess immense power, but their true value lies not merely in what is said, but in when, why, and how it is spoken. The poet explains that wisdom requires listening before speaking, discerning the needs of others, and choosing words that encourage, heal, and inspire rather than wound or divide. Through vivid imagery, the poem shows that a single thoughtful and loving sentence can restore hope, mend broken relationships, and shape a brighter future.

Ultimately, the poem encourages readers to use speech as an instrument of grace, compassion, and truth. It reminds us that every person and every situation requires a different approach, making discernment essential in communication. While spoken words may quickly fade from memory, their effects endure, leaving either lasting legacies of hope or invisible chains of hurt. The poem concludes by affirming that the greatest influence belongs not to those who speak the most, but to those whose timely, wise, and heartfelt words transform the lives of others.