Stirring Words
Words can stir feelings
and words can persuade.
Words can stir courage
when we feel afraid.
Words can stir trouble
and words can alarm.
Words can unsettle us,
words can cause harm.
Words can stir doubts about
what we believe.
Words stir up envy
and words can deceive.
A word in your ear does not
mean what you think.
It’s the sound that goes in,
not a word penned in ink.
Some words are puzzling
and some words confuse.
Some words are serious,
others amuse.
The words I like best
warm and soothe, like a glove,
stirring comfort and kindness,
truth, hope and love.
and words can persuade.
Words can stir courage
when we feel afraid.
Words can stir trouble
and words can alarm.
Words can unsettle us,
words can cause harm.
Words can stir doubts about
what we believe.
Words stir up envy
and words can deceive.
A word in your ear does not
mean what you think.
It’s the sound that goes in,
not a word penned in ink.
Some words are puzzling
and some words confuse.
Some words are serious,
others amuse.
The words I like best
warm and soothe, like a glove,
stirring comfort and kindness,
truth, hope and love.
This poem is copyright (©) Rhona Stephens 2026
About the Writer
Rhona Stephens
Rhona Stephens grew up in Northern Ireland and now lives in Scotland. She loves words and music, living in the country and visiting the coast, especially the north coast of Ireland. You can find her poems for children in Tyger Tyger, The Toy, Parakeet, Dirigible Balloon, PaperBound, Little Thoughts Press, Charles Causley Trust, and Children’s Poetry Summit.
